World Sight Day 2020 - Eye Health in the time of COVID-19

Eye Doctors Urge Patients to Keep Scheduled Eye Care Appointments to Protect Vision

Continued roll out of Integrated Eye Care Team Model Essential to Delivering Specialist Care in the Community

This World Sight Day, Thursday 8^thOctober 2020, the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) is reminding patients of the importance of attending their scheduled eye appointments to ensure continuity of care and to protect their vision.

The ICO, the training and professional body for eye doctors in Ireland, is urging patients not to put their eye health at risk by ignoring any worrying changes to their vision or postponing appointments with their eye care specialist due to COVID-19 concerns.

In a recent survey carried out by the ICO with its members, over a third (38%) of eye doctors said they had had experienced a higher than usual volume of Did Not Attend (DNA) in their outpatient clinics during the phased resumption of services stage.

Over two-fifths (44%) surveyed also reported a noticeable decrease in the number of GP referrals from normal levels indicating that patients may not be seeking medical advice about eye concerns during the pandemic health emergency.

Speaking on World Sight Day 2020, Dr. Patricia Quinlan, President of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists and Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Blackrock Clinic said:

“For people with eye conditions, the outlook has never been better due to advances in therapies but we can’t stress enough the importance of knowing the risks and seeking medical advice if you have any concerns or experience changes in your vision. 

Whilst the process may be a little different now, patients’ safety is a priority and all hospitals and healthcare professionals are taking the necessary safety precautions as outlined by the HSE. The ongoing review of your eye health and treatment plan is vital to protect your vision.  Appointments are precious as clinics work in a reduced capacity environment so please ensure you attend.”

More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents in the ICO survey agreed there had been positive changes and new ways of working in their practice implemented during the pandemic that they would like to see continued.  These measures included enhanced triage systems and improved patient appointment structures, along with an increase in virtual clinics and telemedicine use.

A third (33%) of respondents said they are using telemedicine regularly for suitable consultations, of which 63% agreed it has been of significant benefit during COVID emergency measures.

Ophthalmology National Waiting Lists

The latest figures published on the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) website show the number of patients on ophthalmology outpatient waiting lists has grown from 40,777 on January 30 to 43,935 on August 27.  There were 8,696 patients on the national inpatient day case waiting list on August 27.   

 Dr. Patricia Quinlan said,

“In response to the emergency phase of COVID 19, certain aspects of integration and collaboration were accelerated however we are acutely aware that the cessation of non-urgent care during the initial lockdown phase has resulted in a backlog of patient appointments.  These waiting lists are further challenged with the restricted clinic capacity.”   

Dr Quinlan added,

“The importance of a sustainable and cost effective eye care model, accessible to all patients, has never been more urgent.  The ICO and the Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology welcome the continued roll out of the Integrated Eye Care Team model in our Community Health Organisations, in line Sláintecare objectives, and the key recommendations contained in the national policy approved Model of Eye Care[1]. Many ophthalmology treatments are time sensitive, such as wet macular degeneration, glaucoma and amblyopia in children.  Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to preserve vision.”

Eye Health During COVID-19 - Key messages from Eye Doctors on World Sight Day 2020

• Please keep and attend your eye appointments in the knowledge that the clinic has taken all necessary health & safety measures to provide a safe environment for examination or treatment. The ongoing review of your eye health and treatment plan is vital to protect your vision.
• If you are over 50 or have a family history of eye disease, regular eye checks are very important.  Early detection and treatment will help prevent long-term loss of visual acuity.
• Lifestyle can have a big impact on your eye health.  Eating a diet rich in antioxidant foods can help protect your eyes as you age, as can taking regular exercise to control your blood pressure, and not smoking.

For further guidance and advice on eye health, please visit the ICO website www.eyedoctors.ie or download ‘Your Sight Our Vision’ information booklet here

ENDS
Issued by the Irish College of Ophthalmologists
Ciara.keenan@eyedoctors.ie / 086 369 447

8^th October 2020