Guidance for Anti-VEGF Intravitreal Injections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Antonia M. Joussen

doi:10.14748/bro.v64i2.7143

Guidance for Anti-VEGF Intravitreal Injections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Antonia M. Joussen

Abstract

The World Health Organization designated the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, after its rapid spread to countries throughout the world.1 There is a strong need to support the ophthalmic community to help guide decision- making during these unprecedented times, where infection control is of utmost concern and disruption to regular clinical practice is highly likely. This is particularly important for patients with retinal diseases who are receiving intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents.
Older age (>65 years), living in a care facility or nursing home, and having an underlying health condition are key risk factors for developing severe illness following infection with COVID-19, and are also common among patients with retinal disease. Health conditions including chronic lung disease or moderate-to-severe asthma, serious cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, being immunocompromised, severe obesity, liver disease, and chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis are considered particularly high risk, especially when they are not well-controlled.
Several organizations have produced general guidance for ophthalmologists on managing patients during the pandemic. The Vision Academy Steering Committee convened in March 2020 to review these relevant guidelines and documents, discuss key challenges, and develop recommendations specifically for managing patients receiving intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations were systematically refined before being voted on by the Steering Committee for consensus.

Keywords

COVID-19

Full Text

References

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14748/bro.v64i2.7143