Update: Inclusive Eye Health – Guidance Note for COVID-19

There has been some evidence of presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infection, in tears and conjunctival secretions, which opens up the possibility of infection spread within ophthalmological services and putting patients as well as everyone involved in eye health services at risk. 

CBM’s Inclusive Eye Health (IEH) initiative recognises that it is crucial to continue support for our eye health partners and communities they serve, in their efforts to combat this emerging health crisis. We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and its impact on its eye health and NTD partners and their work, and as a result, have produced a latest update on the Guidance Note. With this note, IEH is keen to continue strengthening its partners so that communities that they work for, including vulnerable groups of people, get the appropriate support in this time of need. The latest update provides recommendations in areas of patient management (both outpatient and inpatient clinics), staff management, and healthcare infrastructure management, specifically in areas of protection, testing, and isolation, should the partner(s) prioritise saving lives over providing non-critical eye care.

Please note that the Guidance Note is not a policy document and that it is key to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines put forth by Governments in respective countries and appropriate hospital protocols. Kindly use this Guidance Note only as a reference document in supporting implementation of such national guidelines and protocols.