Guidelines and recommendations for the SARS-CoV-2 health emergency. Organization of ophthalmic consultations to avoid contact between healthy and asymptomatic contagious positive subjects

Abstract

The Italian Ophthalmological Society (SOI) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of ophthalmic patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this document is to define guidelines that would help ophthalmologists in their clinical activities through the adoption of recommended procedures to avoid common organization and management of positive asymptomatic contagious patients and healthy people. They are based on data available in scientific literature and real clinical experience. The document underlines the unique nature of ophthalmology and its impact on people’s health and wellbeing, outlines minimal requirements to be able to perform ophthalmology procedures, discusses the use of disposable devices and materials and outlines the criteria to manage potentially contagious patients and healthy people.