GUIDELINES ON SAFE OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICES IN COVID-19 SCENARIO
Future Medicine India|November 2020
The examination & procedures related to ophthalmology involves close interactions with the patient.
GUIDELINES ON SAFE OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICES IN COVID-19 SCENARIO

This document outlines the preventive and response measures to be observed to minimize and avoid the spread of COVID-19 in eye care facilities.

SCOPE

These guidelines are aimed to minimize the spread of Covid-19 infection among Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmic assistants/technicians, nurses, support staff, patients and their attendants. Eye care facilities in containment zones shall remain closed. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.

BASIC PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years should be encouraged to stay at home unless they are patients themselves. All eye care facilities may advise all visitors/ staff/patients accordingly.

The basic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (patients, staff and visitors) in these places at all times.

• Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible.

• Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.

• Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.

• Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.

• Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.

ALL EYE-CARE FACILITIES SHALL ALSO ENSURE THE FOLLOWING:

This story is from the November 2020 edition of Future Medicine India.

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This story is from the November 2020 edition of Future Medicine India.

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