Refractive surgery outcomes not affected by clinic’s COVID-19 protocols
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LAS VEGAS — New protocols in a refractive surgery clinic caused no changes in patient outcomes during the pandemic, according to a presentation at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
“There is really no difference between our previous outcomes and our outcomes now,” Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, said.
Stonecipher conducted a retrospective chart review of 471 patients who underwent femtosecond LASIK using topography-guided correction before and after pandemic-related protocols were implemented. The new protocols included the patient arriving alone on the day of surgery, patient consent and payment being collected electronically, the sponsor waiting in the car and receiving updates, and diagnostics and surgery being performed in a terminally cleaned room.
Outcomes in the two patient groups were comparable, with postoperative day 1 vision of 20/10, 20/15 or 20/20 in both eyes in 13%, 81% and 97%, respectively, in the pre-protocols group and 7%, 83% and 99%, respectively, in the post-protocols group.
Patients said they preferred the new regimen, citing less time in the office and more telemedicine options. Currently, there have been no reports of COVID-19 in patients or staff, and no complications have been observed in any of the patients.
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Stonecipher KG. TCAT outcomes using a vector program (Phorcides) prior to and after COVID 19 with new guidelines. Presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting; July 23-27, 2021; Las Vegas.
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