Practice Patterns of Pediatric Ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: To report the use of protective personal equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A 12-question multiple-choice survey was posted on a discussion board used by members of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Respondents provided information about their experience, PPE use, office equipment, and approach to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight pediatric ophthalmologists completed the survey. Eighty-seven (68.0%) identified as in private practice, whereas 41 (32.0%) identified as in an academic setting. Sixty-nine pediatric ophthalmologists (53.9%) reported routinely using N95 respirators, 72 (56.3%) reported wearing medical scrubs, 41 (32.0%) reported using disposable gloves, 33 (25.7%) reported wearing goggles, and 12 (9.4%) reported using face shields during office examinations. One hundred twenty-one pediatric ophthalmologists (94.5%) reported having slit lamps with plastic shields and 52 (40.6%) reported having phoropters with plastic shields. Ninety-nine (77.3%) responded that they would see a patient older than 2 years who refused to wear a mask for a nonemergency visit. CONCLUSIONS: Practice patterns of pediatric ophthalmologists have varied during the COVID-19 pandemic. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022;59(3):145-150.].

The visual consequences of virtual school: acute eye symptoms in healthy children.

PURPOSE: To investigate acute eye symptoms in healthy children after a typical day of virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study population included 110 healthy children 10-17 years of age who were enrolled in full-time or hybrid virtual school. Children with a history of central nervous system or ocular pathology, recent concussions, reported poor vision, convergence insufficiency, history of orthoptic therapy, strabismus, amblyopia, or learning disorders were excluded. Background information was collected, including demographics, family and personal ocular history, and virtual school specifications. Eligible children completed a modified convergence insufficiency symptom survey (CISS) and an asthenopia survey before and after a virtual school session. CISS and asthenopia survey symptoms were scored, and the differences in symptomatology before and after school were calculated. RESULTS: The average sum of the CISS scores increased from 5.17 before school to 9.82 after (P < 0.001), with 61% of children recording an increase in convergence insufficiency symptoms and 17% experiencing severe convergence insufficiency symptoms after school. Average asthenopia symptom scores increased from 1.58 to 2.74 (P < 0.001), with 53% of children recording an increase in asthenopia symptoms. Significant increases were seen in 12 of 15 CISS questions and in 4 of 5 asthenopia questions. CONCLUSIONS: In this study cohort, otherwise healthy children experienced acute ocular symptoms following virtual school.