--- title: Adapting Glaucoma Care to a Pandemic – Initial Responses description: Ophthalmology Technology Summit, Tier I Sponsor, surveyed eye care professionals to assess the impact of COVID 19 and the crisis on glaucoma care. image: https://blog.octaneoc.org/hubfs/eric-ward-0MY-yTGQmDM-unsplash-min.jpg --- [![Octane](https://blog.octaneoc.org/hubfs/Octane_December2019/Images/Octane.svg)](https://octaneoc.org/) - [Accelerate](https://octaneoc.org/launchpad/) - [LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator](https://octaneoc.org/launchpad/) - [Pitch Presentation Template](https://octaneoc.org/launchpad/#template) - [Our Alumni](https://octaneoc.org/launchpad-alumni/) - [Apply](https://info.octaneoc.org/launchpadapply) - [Grow](https://octaneoc.org/octane-enterprise-solutions/) - [Events](https://octaneoc.org/events-programs/) - [Aesthetics Tech Forum](https://octaneoc.org/aesthetic-technology-summit/) - [Tech Innovation Forum](https://octaneoc.org/tech-innovation-forum/) - [Ophthalmology Tech Forum](https://octaneoc.org/ophthalmology-technology-summit/) - [High Tech Awards](https://octaneoc.org/high-tech-awards/) - [Cardiovascular Tech Summit](https://octaneoc.org/cardiovascular-tech-summit/) - [Medical Innovation Forum](https://octaneoc.org/medtech-innovation-forum/) - [Programs & Calendar](https://octaneoc.org/events-programs/#calendar) - [Partner](https://octaneoc.org/partner/) - [Partner with Us](https://octaneoc.org/partner/) - [Octane Partners](https://octaneoc.org/octane-partners/) - [Become a Member](http://register.octaneoc.org/membership) - [Mission](https://octaneoc.org/mission/) - [What We Do](https://octaneoc.org/mission/) - [Community Initiatives](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/) - [Women Leaders of Octane](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/#women-leaders) - [Non-Profit Accelerator](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/#npa) - [LaunchPad Accelerator](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/#launchpad) - [STEAM Ahead](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/#stem-fellows) - [Next Wave](https://octaneoc.org/octane-foundation-for-innovation/#orange-movement) - [Team](https://octaneoc.org/mission/#team) - [Board & Advisors](https://octaneoc.org/board-advisors/) - [Careers](https://octaneoc.org/careers/) - [News & Blog](https://blog.octaneoc.org/) Latest [Events](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/events) [Med Tech](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/med-tech) [Tech](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/tech) [Innovation](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/innovation) [Octane News](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/octane-news) ## [Winners Announced - The 2022 High Tech Awards](https://blog.octaneoc.org/hta-2022-winners) by [Natalie Matsumoto](https://blog.octaneoc.org/author/natalie-matsumoto) on September 29, 2022 [Read more](https://blog.octaneoc.org/hta-2022-winners) - CATEGORIES ### Subscribe to Email Updates [Ophthalmology](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/ophthalmology) | 2 min read # Adapting Glaucoma Care to a Pandemic – Initial Responses Written by [Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://blog.octaneoc.org/author/aerie-pharmaceuticals-inc) - - - Our [Ophthalmology Technology Summit](https://octaneoc.org/ophthalmology-technology-summit/) Tier I Sponsor, [Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,](https://aeriepharma.com/) surveyed 225 eye care professionals (ECPs), predominantly ophthalmologists, from across the country to assess the early impact of the COVID-19 crisis on glaucoma care. One of the most striking findings was that 0% of practices reported operating "business as usual." --- As public health measures shuttered most of the U.S. economy, [Aerie Pharmaceuticals](https://aeriepharma.com/), Inc. surveyed 225 eye care professionals (ECPs), predominantly ophthalmologists, from across the country to assess the early impact of the COVID-19 crisis on glaucoma care. During the timeframe of the survey (March 26 - April 10, 2020), a large majority of respondents (82%) reported that their offices remained open in some capacity. However, these practices had implemented a variety of measures to comply with state and national restrictions, as well as initial recommendations issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) on March 19. More than three-quarters (78%) were limiting in-patient visits to emergent or urgent cases, while some continued to see patients with uncontrolled or unstable glaucoma. Others were conducting intraocular pressure (IOP) testing but not Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) examinations. Criteria including the severity of glaucoma and patient age were being applied to determine whether patients should come into the office or be rescheduled. Facing a steep decline in patient visits, 66% of practices reported reducing their office staff and more than half (53%) had limited their hours of operation. Five additional risk mitigation strategies were also frequently reported: Cancellation of elective surgery (88%); increasing the time between patient visits (80%); writing 90-day prescriptions more often (45%); using telehealth tools to interact with patients (41%); and recommending mail order/prescription delivery options (28%). With practices slowly re-opening, many issues remain, from adjustments to the glaucoma examination and office protocols to the availability and role of COVID-19 screening.  From this highly fluid situation, permanent changes to glaucoma patient care may emerge. Adapted from the LinkedIn article “COVID-19: A Pandemic’s Initial Impact on Glaucoma Care in the U.S.” by Richard A. Lewis, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. April 27, 2020. [![AERIE ECP COVID Survey Results Slides for Infographics 2020APR30 V05 D-1](https://blog.octaneoc.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AERIE%20ECP%20COVID%20Survey%20Results%20Slides%20for%20Infographics%202020APR30%20V05%20D-1.png?width=600&name=AERIE%20ECP%20COVID%20Survey%20Results%20Slides%20for%20Infographics%202020APR30%20V05%20D-1.png)](https://aeriepharma.com/) [![AERIE ECP COVID Survey Results Slides for Infographics 2020APR30 V05 D-3](https://blog.octaneoc.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AERIE%20ECP%20COVID%20Survey%20Results%20Slides%20for%20Infographics%202020APR30%20V05%20D-3.png?width=600&name=AERIE%20ECP%20COVID%20Survey%20Results%20Slides%20for%20Infographics%202020APR30%20V05%20D-3.png)](https://aeriepharma.com/)   ### Related Categories [Ophthalmology](https://blog.octaneoc.org/tag/ophthalmology) ### [Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://blog.octaneoc.org/author/aerie-pharmaceuticals-inc) Popular [Start Up](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/start-up) [Business Resource](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/business-resource) ## [Why Brand Strategy Is So Important For Startups](https://blog.octaneoc.org/why-brand-strategy-is-so-important-for-startups) [Read more](https://blog.octaneoc.org/why-brand-strategy-is-so-important-for-startups) Popular [Business Resource](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/business-resource) ## [The Importance of a Human Capital Management Strategy](https://blog.octaneoc.org/the-importance-of-a-human-capital-management-strategy) [Read more](https://blog.octaneoc.org/the-importance-of-a-human-capital-management-strategy) Popular [Orange County](https://blog.octaneoc.org/topic/orange-county) ## [City of Hope: Advancing World-Renowned Cancer Treatment and Research in Orange County](https://blog.octaneoc.org/city-of-hope-advancing-world-renowned-cancer-treatment-and-research-in-orange-county) [Read more](https://blog.octaneoc.org/city-of-hope-advancing-world-renowned-cancer-treatment-and-research-in-orange-county) ## Accelerate Your Capital Funding Strategy LaunchPad is a Top-5 SBDC in the nation, offering pro-bono expertise help you prepare to raise capital.  [Apply to LaunchPad SBDC](https://info.octaneoc.org/launchpadapply) ### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. 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