COVID-19 has made such a huge impact on all of us, and the field of ophthalmology has not been immune. One glaring effect has been the increase in virtual communication, which has affected meetings, industry and the way we treat our patients

ONLINE MEETINGS: PROS AND CONS

Post-lockdown in March, live meetings were converted to a virtual format; no in-person meetings have been held since the COVID breakout.

There have been positives and negatives from this online meeting format (for more, see page 24). First, the positives: We have learned to be effective educators and learners on virtual platforms — once we learned how to master the technical aspects, from sharing a screen to navigating video narration. Eliminating travel also makes the meetings much more convenient while saving us time and money.

Now, the negatives: The virtual format lacks the spirit of collegiality and interactivity. Discussions with colleagues and vendors at live meetings often germinate ideas that could lead to the sharing of best practices or perhaps the start of a clinical trial. The spontaneity that comes with in-person engagement cannot be replaced with video conferencing or comments submitted online during presentations. Also, at live meetings we get hands-on experience with new technology and are able to see how it works and feels. Virtual exhibit halls don’t provide us the same level of intimacy.

While everyone has done a great job adapting to virtual meetings, my hope is that we can convert to a hybrid style of meetings once COVID is better controlled through appropriate treatments and vaccines. Rather than a strictly in-person format, a hybrid approach would allow greater flexibility. Those who have trouble traveling, do not have the time to take away from their practice or are unable to break away from family obligations will be able to engage virtually, while those who want to attend live meetings can do so.

EVOLUTION OF HOME CARE

Our patients have also used technology to adjust to a changing landscape in 2020. We’ve all become more comfortable with Facetime or Zoom to see friends and family, despite being in various stages of isolation. As our level of engagement with technology has increased, so has the need to adapt to home patient care (for more, see page 17).

A variety of methods for monitoring and treating disease are available. For example, Notal Vision’s ForeseeHOME allows us to monitor macular degeneration, and our glaucoma patients can check their IOP with the Icare Home tonometer. In the world of dry eye disease, we recommend many home remedies to patients, because this disease entity requires a synergistic approach with at-home treatments and pharmaceuticals along with in-office procedures (for more, see page 30). In addition, many of us have engaged in telehealth calls for preliminary exams, triage assessments or follow up e-visits with patients.

I believe many of these innovations are here to stay, and that moving forward we’re going to be much more digitally connected. This requires the ophthalmologist to monitor these remote diagnostic devices and the effectiveness of at-home remedies, in addition to evaluating the results of in-office diagnostics and treatments and prescription medications. Despite the patient taking on an increased role in their care, the role of eye-care provider becomes even more important and complex. OM

Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, is the founder and medical director of Matossian Eye Associates, an affiliate of Prism Vision Group, with multiple offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She specializes in refractive cataract surgery and dry eye disease.

Dr. Matossian reports no relevant disclosures.