TELEMEDICINE AND OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICE IN THE COVID-19 ERA

Purpose: To evaluate telemedicine practice in ophthalmology between samples of Egyptian ophthalmologists; their current, prospective use in the era of COVID-19, satisfaction and limitations.Methods: An internet- based questionnaire was administered to Egyptian ophthalmologists. A totalof 1857 participated in the internet-based questionnaire. Full ethical considerations are fully followed;Sohag university hospitals research committee protocol. Results: 46 percent of the responders wereusing telemedicine. Sense of satisfaction of physician and patient were 51.6% and 52.5%.Themajor obstacle for practicing telemedicine is patient awareness 54.4%, followed by technologyinfrastructure problems 44.6%. Conclusion: Telemedicine is a good method, especially in that era,many ophthalmologists actually use it, others will hasten their practice, and the limitations are emergencies, awareness between patients and some physicians. Ophthalmologists need more telemedicinetraining.