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Evolving Practice Patterns in Singapore's Public Sector Ophthalmology Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Wei Boon Khor1, Leonard Yip2, Paul Zhao3
1Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore Health Services, Singapore.
Insights
Ophthalmology practices in Singapore adapted to COVID-19 by implementing new infection control measures and embracing teleophthalmology. This allowed for continued essential eye care despite a national lockdown and staff redeployments.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in Wuhan, China, rapidly became a global health crisis.
- Singapore reported its first case in January 2020, necessitating swift public health responses.
- Previous strategies for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) required adaptation for the novel coronavirus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the measures implemented by major ophthalmology centers in Singapore's public sector in response to COVID-19.
- To highlight the challenges faced in providing eye care during the pandemic.
- To explore the adoption of innovative practices like teleophthalmology.
Main Methods:
- Review of infection control directives and operational changes in three public sector ophthalmology centers.
- Analysis of challenges including staff redeployments and social distancing.
- Examination of the impact of the "circuit breaker" lockdown on essential services.
Main Results:
- Ophthalmology centers implemented stringent infection control measures.
- Challenges included limited services to essential care, staff redeployments, and social distancing.
- The crisis accelerated the adoption of teleophthalmology and digital health technologies.
Conclusions:
- Singapore's ophthalmology sector adapted to COVID-19 through innovative infection control and digital solutions.
- The pandemic presented challenges but also opportunities for advancing eye care delivery.
- Future planning is underway to integrate these advancements into post-pandemic ophthalmology practice.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and has since become a global pandemic. Singapore was one of the first countries outside of China to be affected and reported its first case in January 2020. Strategies that were deployed successfully during the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome have had to evolve to contain this novel coronavirus. Like the rest of the health care services in Singapore, the practice of ophthalmology has also had to adapt to this rapidly changing crisis. This article discusses the measures put in place by the 3 largest ophthalmology centers in Singapore's public sector in response to COVID-19, and the challenges of providing eye care in the face of stringent infection control directives, staff redeployments and "social distancing." The recently imposed "circuit breaker," effectively a partial lockdown of the country, has further limited our work to only the most essential of services. Our staff are also increasingly part of frontline efforts in the screening and care of patients with COVID-19. However, this crisis has also been an opportunity to push ahead with innovative practices and given momentum to the use of teleophthalmology and other digital technologies. Amidst this uncertainty, our centers are already planning for how ophthalmology in Singapore will be practiced in this next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
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