All India Ophthalmological Society - Eye Bank Association of India consensus statement on guidelines for cornea and eyebanking during COVID-19 era

Sharma, Namrata; D’Souza, Sharon; Nathawat, Rakhi; Sinha, Rajesh; Gokhale, NikhilS; Fogla, Rajesh; Titiyal, JS; Maskati, QureshB; Mukherjee, G; Sachdev, MahipalS

doi:10.4103/ijo.ijo_1554_20

Cited by 28 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…The EBAI-AIOS guidelines too suggested against it. [ 2 ] We decided to follow the EBAI-AIOS Guideline of conducting HCRP only in “non-COVID-19” classified hospitals. For identification of hospitals, we built a decision matrix and used the matrix to decide which hospitals to operate in.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Eye bank Association of India and All India Ophthalmological Society further assisted the process of operating eye banks in the COVID-19 scenario by codifying most of the key aspects of eye banking. [ 2 ] We also restarted our operations and resolved to achieve full-scale operations in a stepwise manner. Multiple learnings were gathered during that phase which we believe can be instrumental in formulating a methodological approach in the current and other similar circumstances.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Resuming eye bank services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Acharya

Biswas

Das

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to formulate a methodological approach for resuming eye bank services during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Eye bank operations were temporarily halted in March after the government-mandated “Lockdown” in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Before restarting eye bank operations in May, we studied sources of exposure, performed risk assessment, instituted additional process validations and redefined the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the guidelines published by the Eye bank Association of India and All India Ophthalmological Society. The eye bank staff were rigorously trained before and after operations were restarted. We conducted a survey at the end of July to gauge staff attitude and reaction. Results: Eye banks services resumed on 20 th May 2020. Since reopening till the end of July total 41 keratoplasties have been done. 91.75% of all keratoplasties done were therapeutic surgeries and 17% of the surgeries were done using glycerine preserved tissues. No staff had COVID-19 symptoms when the operations restarted and none developed symptoms up to the end of July. All eye bank staff were aware of COVID-19 pandemic and 86% said they felt safe working at the eye bank. 86% of the staff said that they received adequate training and 66% of the staff expressed that they always received proper PPE and kits. Overall, 93% of the staff expressed that the measures taken by the eye bank ensured their safety. Conclusion: Based on our experience we suggest the following activities for planned resumption of eye bank services during the pandemic: Exposure Risk Analysis, Personal Protective Equipment usage training, SOP Revision and staff training on modified SOPs. Criteria based selection of donor sources, participatory planning involving the staff and double-checking at critical process junctions helped us in managing a smooth transition.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Resuming eye bank services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Acharya

Biswas

Das

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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show abstract

“…Donor eye collection was resumed from July 3, 2020, onwards based on the All India Ophthalmological Society guidelines. [ 7 ]…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic, national lockdown, and unlocking on an apex tertiary care ophthalmic institute

Agarwal

Sharma

Patil

et al. 2020

Indian J Ophthalmol

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“…The use of irradiated corneas, glycerol preserved corneas for transplant, use of ultraviolet rays and hydrogen peroxide vapor for decontamination of respirators, and smartphone assisted slit-lamp examination are some of the novel and innovative applications brought into ophthalmic practice by this pandemic. [ 6 7 ] Ophthalmology trainees' surgical training has significantly suffered; however, there were several academic activities, including conferences and workshops facilitated by electronic media. [ 8 ]…”

Section: Impact On Ophthalmic Practice and Guidelinesmentioning

confidence: 99%