Since the pandemic began, we have been weighing the risk of delaying eye care with the risk of exposure to COVID-19. For some, it’s been easy because the risk of waiting is low and the risk of being exposed is also low. Early in the crisis timeline, we stopped (or almost) “routine care” then started bringing back the “low-risk of serious illness” patients.
Patients with significant health problems continue to be at the most risk of serious complications if they contract the illness during an eye exam. However, these same people are at the most risk of complications from delaying their eye care. We’ve done our best via telemedicine and other means, but how far can we push it?
In November, Primary Care Optometry News published a thoughtful article by optometrists Dr. Derick Cunningham and Dr. Nabila Gomez. They explore the consequences of delayed care and encourage us to be ready for the “snowball effect” headed our way.