Subscribe to Newsletter
Subspecialties COVID-19, Practice Management

The Trouble with Triage

In light of COVID-19’s threat to healthcare professionals, it is now common for clinics to screen patients before they enter the clinic – but how effective is triage when many carry the virus asymptomatically? Researchers at the İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, decided to find out by studying an examination room visited by patients who had passed triage.

Samples were taken from five circular zones within a one-meter diameter of the patient – including slit lamp breath shield, phoropter surfaces, tonometer and door handles – and analyzed for viral material. The bad news? SARS-CoV-2 was found in two of seven post-examination samples. The (potentially) good news? The study could only detect viral material – not infectivity, virulence, viability, or viral load. Further research is needed to assess the potential infection risk of asymptomatic patients during routine eye exams.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Ophthalmologist and its sponsors.

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. H Aytoğan et al., “Detection of coronavirus disease 2019 viral material on environmental surfaces of an ophthalmology examination room,” JAMA Ophthalmol [Epub ahead of print] (2020). PMID: 32761201.
About the Author
Phoebe Harkin

Associate Editor of The Ophthalmologist

I’ve always loved telling stories. So much so, I decided to make a job of it. I finished a Masters in Magazine Journalism and spent three years working as a creative copywriter before itchy feet sent me (back)packing. It took seven months and 13 countries, but I’m now happily settled on The Ophthalmologist, where I’m busy getting stuck into all things eyeballs.

Product Profiles

Access our product directory to see the latest products and services from our industry partners

Here
Register to The Ophthalmologist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Ophthalmologist magazine

Register

Disclaimer

The Ophthalmologist website is intended solely for the eyes of healthcare professionals. Please confirm below: