A feeling of deja vu

It’s now six weeks since I returned to work after four months shielding. Even in these last six weeks I have noticed a major shift in attitude to the effects of the pandemic. Most of my elderly patients are still too frightened to travel far. Many have hardly stepped out of their houses since midMarch. They have frequently been ignoring significant vision loss. Sadly, in several cases this potentially reversible loss of vision has become permanent. Many other patients have taken the attitude “It won’t happen to me” and are carrying on as if nothing was amiss.

As I write, the omens are suggesting a second “Lockdown” is imminent. I dread to think what that means for healthcare. Waiting lists for basic cataract surgery are now well over twelve months. In some hospitals they are quoting a two year wait. Even in Optometry we are having to cope with catching up on the patients delayed by lockdown. Because of the precautions we are having to take to prevent the spread of COVID each appointment is now much longer. The result is twice the number of patients each needing extended appointment times. I wonder how we will ever get out of this predicament.

In my practice we introduced video and telephone consultations at the start of lockdown in March. It’s not the same as a “real” face to face consultation. It does mean patients terrified by the thought of leaving the safety of their home can still access basic eyecare. If you are concerned about any sudden or unexpected changes in your vision always call your optometrist to discuss your symptoms. Even if you don’t have a smartphone with a camera your optometrist can frequently diagnose from your symptoms. Apparently minor eye problems can quickly escalate and can be potentially blinding!