A statement from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) has recommended patients ‘not to hold back’ from seeking medical treatment for other conditions during the Covid19 epidemic. The statement also recommends the public must be fully confident that they can and should, seek medical assistance if they have symptoms which cause concern, or they already are being treated for a serious health condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the provision of eye care in primary and secondary care. Measures currently in place to protect people from acquiring the infection will undoubtedly lead to vision loss that, in normal circumstances, would have been preventable.

During these unprecedented times, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists will continue to deliver and manage its services to members where feasible. This includes the NOD Audit, which will continue to be managed by the NOD team and in liaison with trusts and surgeons.

NHS England are now seeking an Outpatients Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology to work as part of the Outpatient Transformation Programme Specialty Redesign Team to provide clinical expertise and advice regarding the redesign of patient pathways and key system enablers.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the Macular Society have issued the following important information for patients having treatment for Wet AMD or other conditions needing intravitreal injections during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Recent reports have suggested that COVID-19 may cause conjunctivitis, and it is known that viral particles can be found in tears, which has caused some concern amongst eye health professionals.