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Background: The Sheffield Virtual Adult Strabismus service was already well established and was put to real-time trial during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe a multi-disciplinary adaptation to offer a safe and effective service delivery. We evaluate the efficacy of a virtual strabismus service during the pandemic to meet clinical demand, streamline patient care, balance care delivery and optimise medical input. Methods: Prospective data analysis from the virtual strabismus clinics dated from January 2015 to November 2021. All information was captured at first consultation with comprehensive specialist Orthoptic assessment and imaging; then reviewed by a strabismus consultant for clinical outcome. Management was discussed virtually with patients by the consultant. Results: Pre-COVID (January 2015-March 2020), 1,068 appointments were offered. During COVID (July 2020-November 2021), 442 appointments were offered. Clinical capacity increased to meet demand. Within two months of service re-opening, first appointment mean waiting time reduced below 18 weeks. During COVID, 24.6% of patients were listed for procedures after first visit. Face-to-face medical follow up for non-surgical cases reduced from 47.7% to 16.3%. Conclusion: Virtual strabismus services offer flexible, safe and effective ways to meet fluctuating referral patterns and maximise limited time and resources. Orthoptists are uniquely essential and highly valued keyworkers to conservatively manage non-surgical strabismus. Utilising the skillsets of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) across the NHS is crucial to sustain ongoing clinical demand and patient care.
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AIM: To report the case of acute isolated abducens nerve palsy and anosmia in a healthy 69-year-old female following SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHOD: This is a case report of a previously healthy 69-year-old Caucasian female who presented to the emergency eye centre with a four-day history of binocular, horizontal diplopia eight days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anosmia was her isolated symptom of COVID-19. RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed with left abducens nerve palsy. Aetiology was presumed to be post-viral as the patient was not diabetic and had no pre-existing microvascular risk factors. Diplopia resolved within 3.5 weeks. Measurements confirmed complete spontaneous recovery of the abducens palsy within 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Cranial nerve palsies may constitute part of the neurological spectrum of COVID-19 disease. This case report aims to raise awareness amongst clinicians of coronavirus-induced neurological symptoms. Research suggests SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger an aberrant immune response in some individuals, causing inflammatory nerve damage leading to anosmia and neuropathy. This case report supports the hypothesis that direct or indirect virally mediated injuries along the routes of the cranial nerves can cause neuropathy and olfactory dysfunction. The longer latency effects of COVID-19 infection are not well understood. The long-term rehabilitation of patients exposed to COVID-19 is a major public health concern requiring multidisciplinary expertise. This case report highlights the value of the Orthoptist in the diagnosis and care of patients experiencing neuropathy following COVID-19 exposure.
