During these unprecedented times, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists will continue to deliver and manage its services to members where feasible. This includes the National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) Audit, which will continue to be managed by the NOD team and in liaison with trusts and surgeons.
The collection of data, analysis and reporting of outcomes for individual surgeons and eye units will be compromised due to the ophthalmic workforce being deployed in other areas within their trusts as well as the withdrawal of routine surgery during this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise on the status of the NOD audit as appropriate.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the continuation of ophthalmic services in the UK will be subject to national guidance from NHSE, PHE and their equivalents in Wales, Scotland and NI. RCOphth guidance advises eye clinics to review and implement management plans to identify high risk patients. This guidance has been developed to safeguard and protect patients and the workforce and the RCOphth is advising that all routine ophthalmic surgery should be postponed.
Please look out for updates on the RCOphth and NOD websites.