J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord | Volume 6, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access
Otiti-Sengeri J1*, Omaido AB1, Jose TM2 and Colebunders R3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda 2Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp, Uganda 3Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Uganda
*Correspondance to: [email protected]
Fulltext PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted clinical practice all over the African continent. Ophthalmology is a high-risk profession due to the ease with which physicians are exposed to patients’ secretions. Lockdown measures to stop the spread of the virus, disrupted ophthalmological care and services, residence programs were abruptly shut down. In this paper we review the literature indexed in PubMed with search terms “ophthalmology”, “COVID-19”, and “Africa or specific African country”. Concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmological practice in Africa in order to identify the adaptations made and challenges faced unique to this region. The experience from the national ophthalmological referral unit in Uganda concerning patient care and ophthalmological training is specifically highlighted. Knowledge of these experiences would help ophthalmology units in these regions adapt better if a similar pandemic occurred in the future. Ophthalmology practice and training was greatly affected due to the lockdown measures instilled to curb spread of COVID-19 infection and limitation of resources to support required preventive measures. COVID-19 booster vaccination and adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for high-risk workers such as those in ophthalmology should be maintained. Appropriate technology for online learning and telemedicine should be integrated in ophthalmology institutions in order to avoid disruption of learning and patient care.
Ophthalmology; COVID-19; Africa; Uganda; Training
Otiti-Sengeri J, Omaido AB, Jose TM, Colebunders R. Ophthalmology Practice Amidst COVID-19 in Africa, The Experience from Uganda. J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord. 2022; 6(2): 1047.