Ophthalmology is a unique specialty that fortunately does not
directly participate in the fight against COVID-19. However, this does not mean
that there are no patients in need of emergency diagnostics and treatment of
their eye diseases. A lot of healthcare establishments have closed doors, but
centres that keep functioning under the new protection regime must comply with
a variety of conditions in order to safely handle emergencies and urgent cases.
Along with the general hygiene and organisational activities, the hygiene and
modification of the work with the basic apparatus for eye examinations - the
biomicroscope are specific
to an eye medical office. Biomicroscopy violates the social distance rule as
doctor and patient are about 40 centimetres apart, face to face.
Notwithstanding the instructions that the diagnostic procedure shall be
performed quickly and with personal protective equipment, biomicroscopy remains
the part of the examination bearing the highest risk of transmission of
infection. Wearing a helmet is impossible for the ophthalmologist because
oculars do not allow it. Therefore, the practice of some European clinics has
introduced the application of "home-made" protection of a solid,
transparent folder. Other centres recommend a plexiglass shield, which however,
is heavy.
The University Specialized Hospital for Ophthalmic Diseases
for Active Treatment - Varna has found an effective, convenient and universal
solution, with the help of a lecturer and a last-year student in optometry.
Hatidze Davidova joins her husband's company's national helmet production
campaign. Striving to help the University Hospital, she turned to the Executive
Director, Prof. Dr. Hristina Grupcheva, who drew the "desired"
protection, and managed to produce the first protective shields for a
biomicroscope. The shield is suitable for all types of biomicroscopes,
regardless of the lightning, and allows adjustment of the interpupillary
distance from 52 to 76 mm. Furthermore, it secures complete protection of the
whole face and, thanks to its crystal transparency, does not impair the comfort
of the patient and the visualization of the examiner. The shield is very light
and flexible, without any cutting edges, and it can be cleaned after each
patient.
In addition to the fact that the new shield is already
standard equipment at the University Specialized Hospital for Ophthalmic
Diseases for Active Treatment - Varna, the medical establishment is ready to
help its colleagues from all over the country. Each ophthalmologist who would
like to have a shield can receive it for free upon request to the following
e-mail: eyehospital-varna@mbox.contact.bg.
