Drive-through screening for IOP was a safe and effective way of maintaining care of patients with glaucoma in New Orleans during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The drive-through initiative, reported at AAO 2020 Virtual, was led by Lena J. Al-Dujaili, MD, of Louisiana State University (LSU) in New Orleans. Results were presented by coauthor Taylor Phelps, MD, also of LSU.

“We all struggled through the pandemic, and this is what we did here in New Orleans to see our glaucoma patients during the height of the first wave,” said Dr. Phelps in a news release. “Glaucoma patients, even during a pandemic, need to be followed and have their pressure checked to make sure they are not losing vision or destabilizing. As the pandemic progressed, novel methods for measuring pressure were explored, and our concept … was doing drive-through eye pressure checks, so patients could stay inside their car.”

Prior to coming to the clinic, all patients were screened for COVID-19 via a telephone call, during which they were asked about symptoms related to COVID-19, recent travel history, or exposure to anyone who had tested positive. Patients screened as COVID-negative were scheduled for IOP testing in 5-minute intervals. They lined up in their cars in a path in front of the clinic. Technicians checked IOP using proparacaine for anesthetic and a TonoPen with a disposable tip. All technicians donned full personal protective equipment, including a gown, face shield, N95 mask, and 2 sets of gloves. After IOP was checked, patients were followed up later in the day via telemedicine. The ophthalmologist was informed if IOP was increased at the time it was checked.

During a 3-week period, 42 patients were screened in this manner at the clinic. Of these, 6 patients (14%) had a change in their drop regimen based on an increase in IOP. One patient (2%) required a procedure, and 5 (12%) required in-person follow-up within a month to check their pressure in a more typical environment.