Response to comment on: Online survey on practice patterns in the treatment of corneal ulcer during COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Editor,

We would like to thank the author(s) for the interest and comment on our “Original study” titled “Online Survey on Practice Patterns in the Treatment of Corneal Ulcer During COVID-19 Pandemic” published in September 2021 issue of Indian journal of Ophthalmology.[1] The author(s) have raised few concerns,[2] which have been addressed below:

The duration of the study has been mentioned clearly in the abstract (January 4, 2021–February 3, 2021).[1] However, I agree with the author that the duration should also have been mentioned in the methodology.

The questionnaire has been attached as online content.

Although cornea specialists have a better understanding on keratitis and its management, general ophthalmologists are the one who are often the first point of contact. Excluding general ophthalmologists just to increase the response rate is not justified.

The author very correctly pointed out that the government hospital charges are usually free of cost or at minimal expense.[2] However, these are the responses from the survey that we mentioned. We clarified this point at our common communication forum. In view of the shortage of protective equipment at some of the government hospitals, patients were instructed to get protective equipment from outside the hospital. This was probably the reason for marking the choice of increased expense in out patient department (OPD) and surgical charges by some of the government doctors. An international survey of health care workers has also revealed widespread shortages of protective equipment and urged policymakers and governments to take actions to make equipment available.[3]

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.