Al-Hazaa: Corona forces doctors to stop routine eye exams Professor Dr. Salwa Bint Abdullah Fahd Al-Hazaa, a former member of the Shura Council and chief consultant in ophthalmology and ophthalmology, has confirmed the recommendations of the American Eye Academy AAO, that all ophthalmologists should stop routine eye examination in Immediately and outpatient clinics, except for urgent or urgent eye care.
This is important information regarding eye diseases, as it relates to the new acute coronavirus, where the highly contagious virus can cause an acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19.
Virus particles have been found in the eye secretions of infected patients, which indicates that the virus can infect the conjunctiva of the eye.
Many reports indicate that the virus can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, and cannot be distinguished from other viral causes that can harm the eye, and thus the virus can be transmitted by contact with the aerosols of the conjunctiva of the eye.
Therefore, we warn patients who review ophthalmologists for conjunctivitis and also suffer from fever and respiratory symptoms, including coughing and shortness of breath, and who have recently traveled internationally, especially to areas with known outbreaks (China, Iran, Italy and South Korea), or to specific areas within USA), or family members who have recently returned from one of these regions, as this could represent COVID- 19 cases.
The American Eye Academy recommends protecting mouth, nose and eyes when caring for potential patients with CoV-2 SARS.
The same alcohol-based and bleach antiseptics are recommended for disinfection of ophthalmic instruments and office furniture, before and after each eye patient, to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission between patients.
