Effects of COVID-19 protective measures on the ophthalmological patient examination with an emphasis on gender-specific differences

ObjectiveIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, strict hygiene and containment measures have been instituted in the clinical ophthalmological examination to prevent virus transmission. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of these protective measures on the quality of the examination with a...

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Published in:BMJ open ophthalmology Vol. 6; no. 1; p. e000841
Main Authors: Rauchegger, Teresa, Osl, Antonia, Nowosielski, Yvonne, Angermann, Reinhard, Palme, Christoph, Haas, Gertrud, Steger, Bernhard
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.09.2021
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
BMJ Publishing Group
Series:Original research
Subjects:
Aerosols
Clinics
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Data analysis
diagnostic tests/investigation
Disease transmission
epidemiology
Gender
Global Ophthalmology
Masks
Medical personnel
Medical supplies
Ophthalmology
Patients
Physicians
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Telemedicine
Viruses
epidemiology
telemedicine
diagnostic tests/investigation
ISSN:2397-3269, 2397-3269
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:ObjectiveIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, strict hygiene and containment measures have been instituted in the clinical ophthalmological examination to prevent virus transmission. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of these protective measures on the quality of the examination with an emphasis on gender-specific differences.Methods and analysisAn online survey was sent to ophthalmologists in 10 countries. The collected data included demographics, place of work, current professional status, COVID-19 protective measures and their impact on the quality of the examination. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Fisher’s exact test was used to analyse gender differences.ResultsA total of 120 responses were collected. 54.0% of the respondents identified as female and 43.4% as male. Over 75% agreed that protective measures made the examination conditions more difficult. The major problems were fogging of the lenses (87.6%) or slit lamp oculars (69.9%), reduced operability of the slit lamp due to protective barriers (60.2%) and time delay due to disinfection measures (68.1%). Significantly more women than men reported that they used filtering face piece (FFP2) instead of surgical masks (p=0.02). More male participants reported that they removed their mask to prevent fogging (p=0.01). 31% of all participants felt that the COVID-19 protective measures reduced the overall quality of slit lamp examination and 43.4% reported a reduced quality of fundoscopic examination.ConclusionCOVID-19 related safety measures reduce the feasibility of the clinical ophthalmological examination. Practicable solutions are required to maintain good examination quality without compromising personal safety.
Bibliography:Original research
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ISSN:2397-3269
2397-3269
DOI:10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000841