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NEW YORK—Now that the World Health Organization has officially declared the widespread outbreaks of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, to be a pandemic, health care organizations around the world are stepping up efforts to inform their members about the rapid spread of the coronavirus while offering advice on how to prevent themselves and their patients from contracting it. Two of the leading professional organizations in the U.S. that represent eye doctors—The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Optometric Association (AOA)—are actively monitoring the situation and providing frequent updates to members via their respective websites.

The AAO has published a coronavirus alert on its website including the latest statistics from the WHO and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as recommended protocols when scheduling or seeing patients. The AAO noted that the virus that causes COVID-19 is very likely susceptible to the same alcohol- and bleach-based disinfectants that ophthalmologists commonly use to disinfect ophthalmic instruments and office furniture. To prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission, the same disinfection practices already used to prevent office-based spread of other viral pathogens are recommended before and after every patient encounter.

The AOA’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) has published a statement on the AOA website that also provides updates from the WHO and CDC, plus detailed instructions about what optometrists need to know about the virus and how to defend against it. Included is a checklist that health care professionals can use to prepare for the transport and arrival of patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19.

Both the AAO and AOA websites are being updated regularly with the most up to date information about the pandemic. Click here to view and download the HPI statement. Click here to view the AOA checklist.