@article{Lam_Fayers_Yuen_Javate_Olver_2022, title={Global survey of lacrimal surgeons on practice of nasolacrimal duct obstruction amid COVID-19 pandemic}, volume={26}, url={https://hkjo.hk/index.php/hkjo/article/view/335}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To survey lacrimal surgeons worldwide on their practice of nasolacrimal duct obstruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 24-question survey was designed to investigate lacrimal surgeons worldwide on their practice of nasolacrimal duct obstruction before the COVID-19 outbreak, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (Spring 2020), and during the study period (12 March 2021 to 12 May 2021). The survey was uploaded to a website, and the link of the survey was sent to international oculoplastic societies for further distribution to their members.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 570 respondents from 68 countries or regions were included in the analysis. During the study period, the preferred surgical technique for nasolacrimal duct obstruction was external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) [69.9%], followed by endoscopic DCR (46.0%). 95.1% of respondents performed silicone intubation. When the risk of COVID-19 infection was high, respondents preferred external DCR to endoscopic DCR. Respondents used higher levels of PPE for lacrimal irrigation and surgery during the study period than before the COVID-19 outbreak, in compliance with guidelines on aerosol-generating medical procedures.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the preferred surgical treatment worldwide for nasolacrimal duct obstruction remains external DCR. The experience gained from the COVID-19 pandemic enables lacrimal surgeons to better prepare for future pandemics.</p>}, number={2}, journal={Hong Kong Journal of Ophthalmology}, author={Lam, Chun Wah and Fayers, Tessa and Yuen, Kwok Lai and Javate, Reynaldo and Olver, Jane}, year={2022}, month={Dec.} }