Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment

Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are visually debilitating conditions that affect families worldwide. They require extensive clinical testing, examination, and patient and family counseling, which are frequently accomplished over single-day extended clinic visits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of retina and vitreous 2021-03, Vol.7 (1), p.25-25, Article 25
Main Authors: Al-Moujahed, Ahmad, Kumar, Aarushi, Chemudupati, Teja, Tsang, Stephen H, Mahajan, Vinit B
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Accountability
Cancer
Consent
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Gene therapy
Genetic counseling
Genomes
Health insurance
Inherited retinal diseases
IRDs
Laboratories
Letter to the Editor
Mutation
Pandemics
Patient satisfaction
Retina
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Surgery
Telegenetics
Telemedicine
Video teleconferencing
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Summary:Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are visually debilitating conditions that affect families worldwide. They require extensive clinical testing, examination, and patient and family counseling, which are frequently accomplished over single-day extended clinic visits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of patients and staff allowed in clinics, leading to interruptions in care. We therefore developed telehealth management protocols for complete or hybrid virtual visits. The three main components of our telegenetics approach included reviewing the diagnostic tests results remotely, in-person or virtual video visits with a retina specialist, and virtual genetic testing using saliva kits. During the first 5 months of the program, telegenetic care was provided for 80 patients, including 3 international patients, and a spectrum of retinal dystrophies were diagnosed and managed. In conclusion, telegenetic virtual visits ensure continuity of care while reducing patient and provider exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and may continue and expand into other medical genetic conditions long after the pandemic.
ISSN:2056-9920
2056-9920