How to Manage a Strabismus Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic; What is Really Urgent, What is Not?: A Single-Center Case Series from Turkey

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate the management of the pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus clinic when strict quarantine conditions were adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study presents a review of the patients examined during the quarantine period. All patients were assessed with the highest possible level of personal protection. Results: Ten patients (6 girls, 4 boys) with a mean age of 9 years (range 2-16) were evaluated. The patients presented 3-20 days after symptom onset. Ocular misalignment and diplopia were the main symptoms. Four of the 10 patients were diagnosed with sixth cranial nerve palsy and three patients were diagnosed with acute-onset comitant esotropia. Six patients had significant cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings. Conclusion: Acute-onset neurological conditions are more common during the COVID-19 pandemic. These reports will contribute to global experience and understanding of COVID-19.