ABSTRACT
Purpose. To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional activities and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation. Material and methods. The All-Russian online survey of ophthalmologists «Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional activity, lifestyle and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation» was conducted. The results are presented as a percentage of those respondents who are engaged in the relevant activity. Results. The survey involved 582 ophthalmologists from various regions of Russia. In April 2020 (in the first month of non-working days throughout the Russian Federation), the work load as a whole became less than usual for 54.8% of respondents. In addition, 18.4% of respondents stated that they did not work during the entire April 2020. The number of face-to-face consultations decreased in 74.3% of the surveyed ophthalmologists. The number of telemedicine consultations decreased in 27.0% of respondents, and increased in 34.1%. The number of emergency and urgent surgery decreased in 25.0% of respondents, and increased in 23.2%. The number of planned surgery decreased in 80.4% of respondents. 23.9% of respondents began to provide medical care in an additional and new profile of ophthalmological care (which they do not usually do). Salaries in April 2020 decreased for 66.7% of respondents, in August 2020 - in 41.4% of respondents. Ophthalmologists have become more engaged in the study of professional literature on ophthalmology and coronavirus, as well as writing scientific products (articles, patents, etc.), preparing reports and presenting them. In 57.8% of cases of infection of ophthalmologists with COVID-19 was associated with their professional activities and 37.3% of infection with an ophthalmic patient. In 83.3% of cases, ophthalmologists were treated for COVID-19 on an outpatient, in 16.7% of cases - in an inpatient. In 66.7% of cases the health status of ophthalmologists after the coronavirus infection COVID-19 was poor. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic had negative impact on the professional activity and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation. © 2021 Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.