Early-Phase Perceptions of COVID-19's Impact on Ophthalmology Practice Patterns: A Survey from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical practice worldwide due to interventions to prevent spreading. Its effect on ophthalmology practices in Latin America has not yet been explored. We aimed to assess the perceptions about the pandemic from countries' ophthalmological national and subspecialty retina societies affiliated to the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO). Patients and Methods: A survey-based study of leaders of national ophthalmological and retinal societies was conducted. The survey was sent by email to 30 societies, from which 20 responded (12 countries, 66.6% response rate). It included closed- and open-ended questions about (1) operational capacity and precautions, (2) telemedicine and virtual care, (3) procedures, and (4) post-pandemic considerations. Results: There was a marked decline in ophthalmology patient visits (80-95%) and elective surgeries (90%) during 2020 compared to before the pandemic. Precautions like temperature checks, mask usage, and social distancing were widely implemented while personal protective equipment (PPE) availability varied. Telemedicine use was limited due to lack of experience with it. Reopening plans focused on maintaining precautions and gradually resuming activities. Economic and security concerns were raised, and adherence to guidelines was emphasized. Respondents acknowledged the need to adapt to a "new normal". Long duration drugs, fewer imaging studies, and shorter wait times were preferred; however, availability of long duration drugs was limited. Conclusion: The pandemic impacted ophthalmology in Latin America, with reduced patient visits, procedures, and surgeries. Delayed treatment and complications were likely the result of the pandemic.

Frecuencias alélicas de los polimorfismos del gen del retinoblastoma en pacientes ecuatorianos / Alélicas frequencies of the polymorphisms of the gene of retinoblastoma in Ecuadorian patients

El gen del retinoblastoma (Rb1) fue el primer gen supresor de tumor identificado y ha sido ampliamente analizado a nivel mundial en la población ecuatoriana no existen reportes sobre este gen y en otros países de América Latina se han realizado pocos estudios. En este estudio presentamos la frecuencia alélica de 28 polimorfismos del gen Rb1 en nuestra población y describimos tres nuevos polimorfismos, de los cuales uno se localiza en el intrón 26 donde nunca se han descrito alteraciones anteriormente. Al comparara nuestras frecuencias alélicas con las de otros autores encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas lo que sugiere que los mecanismos mutacionales involucrados en el desarrollo de esta enfermedad difieren de otras poblaciones.