THE IMPACT OF CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) FROM AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST PROSPECTIVE

Abstract

 Objective:

To know the impact of corona virus disease (COVID-19) on personal and professional life aspects of working ophthalmologists

Study Design:

A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative survey

Place and Duration of Study:

Akhter Saeed medical and dental college, Lahore. The duration of the study was two months, from April 1 2020 to June 30 2020.

Material and Methods:

A survey questionnaire was formed and sent to different ophthalmologists both in the public and private sectors. Qualitative data was analyzed by the analyst.

Results:

The questionnaire was sent to over three hundred (300) ophthalmologists, and feedback was received from two hundred and twenty (220) ophthalmologists. All were practicing consultant ophthalmologists, doing private practice for more than 5 years, working in government or private sector.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic has complex and multifactorial effects. The medical field, like Ophthalmology, where most surgeries are elective, has faced devastating financial effects in terms of the reduced number of patients and routine surgical procedures coupled with the overwhelming psychosocial impact on ophthalmologists. We need to explore workable and sound strategies to cope with fear and depression in such pandemic conditions in the future