Safety and protective measures on performing ophthalmic surgeries during the epidemic of COVID-19

Objective To investigate the safety of ophthalmic surgery during the epidemic of COVID-19 and to make related protective measures. Methods The clinical data of 12 eyes of 11 patients who underwent ophthalmic surgeries from Jan. 25th to Feb. 28th in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were collected during the outbreak of COVID-19. There were 1 eye of 1 case with rupture of eyeball, 1 eye of 1 case with corneal perforating injury, 1 eye of 1 case of corneal perforating injury with traumatic cataract, 1 eye of 1 case with intraocular foreign body, 2 eyes of 2 cases of canalicular laceration, 4 eyes of 4 cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and 2 eyes of 1 case of glaucoma. All patients were monitored temperature and made epidemiological investigations. According to the national epidemic prevention and control requirements and hospital’s emergency management process, an ophthalmologic diagnosis and treatment process had been formulated. All patients were strictly managed in accordance with this process. Body temperature, respiratory tract and other general conditions were monitored on the perioperative period. Results The temperature monitoring, epidemiological investigation, clinical and imaging examinations before consultation in all cases were normal, and all cases were treaded by infectious experts consultation to eliminate COVID-19. Ophthalmic surgeries were performed in 12 eyes of 11 patients with ocular trauma and acute eye diseases, included 6 eyes of emergency surgery, 6 eyes of limited-term surgery, and strictly followed the ophthalmologic diagnosis and treatment process for surgical treatment. All patients recovered well postoperatively, and no serious complication occurred. No COVID-19 occurred among patients, family members and medical staff during the hospitalization and follow-up period. Conclusion The ophthalmic surgeries can be safely performed after strict screening and in accordance with the requirements of prevention and control workflow during the epidemic of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. Key words: COVID-19; Surgery, ophthalmic; Protection; Safety