Letter from India

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on eye care the world over, and no more so than is evident when looking at its aftermath in India.

While some smaller eye care practices have, in effect, shut down, many have resorted to solely catering for eye emergencies. Teleophthalmol-ogy is developing slowly but cannot be a substitute when there is a requirement for the physical presence of a patient. Also, teleoptometry is not remunerative.

Indian ophthalmologists do not see patients with active Covid-19. They use the required personal protective equipment (face masks, protective glasses and instrument shields) to prevent spread of infection from those in incubation period, whether patient or practitioner.