What Eyelid, Tear Duct and Eye Socket procedures can be done during the Coronavirus outbreak?
- Chris Thiagarajah MD
- May 29
- 1 min read
During the Corona Virus outbreak, our governor Jared Polis issued a governor's order determining what elective surgeries can and can't be done during this time period until April 14 to conserve ventilators and other resources for COVID-19 patients. He defined exactly what elective surgery meant. He limited elective surgeries in Oculoplastics to those that 1. Can result in loss of organ or function and 2. There is a risk of metastasis or progression of staging. What are the different oculoplastic surgeries in Denver that can be done under those guidelines?
Eyelid
There are different procedures that can be done on the eyelid that have grave impact on the eye. First are procedures that involve eyelashes rubbing against the eyeball and abrading it. Any problem with eyelid closure would also be more urgent as the eye can dry out and result in vision loss or loss of the eye. Thirdly would be biopsy of any growth on the eyelid that could potentially spread into the eye socket or tear duct resulting in worse outcome for the patient.
Eyeball
Any infection of the eye (endophthalmitis) requiring removal of the eye to save the other eye from a bad infection and permanent blindness would be necessary under these conditions. Ethically one could also argue that removing a blind painful eye
Tear Duct
Orbit
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