Safety of video-based telemedicine compared to in-person triage in emergency ophthalmology during COVID-19 (5 April 2021)

Summary

The need for social distancing midst the COVID-19 pandemic has forced ophthalmologists to innovate with telemedicine. The novel process of triaging emergency ophthalmology patients via video consultations should reduce hospital attendances. However, the safety profile of such services were unknown. 

This study, published by EClinicalMedicine, demonstrates comparable patient safety of video consultations at one-month follow-up to in person review and found the service to be acceptable to patients and to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Authors propose that video consultations are effective and desirable as a tool for triage in ophthalmology.