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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Year : 2020  |  Volume : 68  |  Issue : 6  |  Page : 1225

Sanitization of glaucoma clinic instruments in COVID-19 era


1 Shreeji Eye Clinic and Palak's Glaucoma Care Centre, Samrat Bldg, Andheri (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2 Glaucoma Department, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, 18 College Road, Nungambakan, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Date of Web Publication25-May-2020

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Rajul S Parikh
Shreeji Eye Clinic and Palak's Glacuoma Care Centre, Samrat Bldg, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 069, Maharashtra
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1423_20

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How to cite this article:
Parikh RS, George R, Parikh SR. Sanitization of glaucoma clinic instruments in COVID-19 era. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:1225

How to cite this URL:
Parikh RS, George R, Parikh SR. Sanitization of glaucoma clinic instruments in COVID-19 era. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2024 Mar 29];68:1225. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2020/68/6/1225/284781



We read with interest the recent article stating consensus statement on preferred practices during COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The authors have used general guidelines for sanitization of all machines and hard surfaces but do not mention the specifications for sanitization of OPD instruments and machines used commonly in glaucoma practice. Also, the suggested use of 1% Sodium Hypochlorite or 1% Bacillocid Extra solution is not supported with references.[1] In healthcare settings, if specific formulations are lacking, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control specifically recommends using neutral soap and sodium hypochlorite at 0.1% and not 1%, to clean instruments, hard surfaces.[2],[3],[4],[5] Sodium Hypochlorite solution of 0.1% to 0.5% has been shown to be virucidal.[2],[3]

  1. Goldman Applanation tip: Suggested use of 70% alcohol swab is ideal for SARS-CoV-2 but not for adenovirus.[5] We recommend cleaning the tip with freshly prepared sodium hypochlorite (0.1 to 0.12%).[2],[3],[4],[5] We can customize the  Petri dish More Details to provide an adequate contact time for soaking the tip for at least 5 minutes [Figure 1]. We need to allow the tip to dry properly or clean with distilled water before reusing
  2. Goniolenses: The above guidelines are applicable for cleaning of goniolenses also
  3. Automated Perimeter: Between each patient, all patient and technician interface surfaces, excluding the bowl, may be wiped down using 70% isopropyl alcohol. If there is a need to clean the bowl of perimeter, its surface may be treated by spraying with 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution.[6] Patient should wear a mask and perhaps we can administer faster threshold strategy like SITA FAST. It is advisable to leave testing room doors partially open to increase the flow of fresh air
  4. Non-contact lenses: These lenses can be cleaned with running water for at least 2 minutes
  5. Laser procedures: These are aerosol producing procedures; we recommend precautions described under surgery section of article be followed.[1]
Figure 1: Customized Petri Dish

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Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Sengupta S, Honavar SG, Sachdev MS, Sharma N, Kumar A, Ram J, et al. All India ophthalmological society-Indian journal of ophthalmology consensus statement on preferred practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:711-24.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
2.
3.
Romano MR, Montericcio A, Montalbano C, Raimondi R, Allegrini D, Ricciardelli G, et al. Facing COVID-19 in ophthalmology department. Curr Eye Res, 2020:1-6. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1752737.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
5.
Junk AK, Chen PP, Lin SC, Nouri-Mahdavi K, Radhakrishnan S, Singh K, et al. Disinfection of tonometers: A report by the American academy of ophthalmology. Ophthalmology 2017;124:1867-75.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.


    Figures

  [Figure 1]


This article has been cited by
1 Comments on: Preferred practice guidelines for glaucoma management during COVID-19 pandemic
RajulS Parikh, Ronnie George, B Shantha, ShefaliR Parikh, L Vijaya
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020; 68(10): 2311
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