Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Young Ophthalmologists in Cairo University Hospitals.

PURPOSE: To assess the concerns of the residents and young ophthalmologists as well as the change in their practice during the COVID era DESIGN: This is an cross-sectional study METHODS: A questionnaire was directed to the young Ophthalmologists of Ophthalmology department in Cairo University hospitals The primary outcome measures were the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmology practice RESULTS: Seventy-nine young Ophthalmologists responded to the questionnaire, with an age ranging from 24 to 36 years of age of which 57% were females They all practiced Ophthalmology from less than one year up to 9 years long, with 55 8% of them feeling unlucky starting ophthalmic practice during this era, 7 6% are extremely anxious regarding their psychological concern about the pandemic, and some feel they need psychological assessment especially those with 1-3 years duration of practice (41 2%) (p =  011) , especially females (82 4%, p =  015 ) As for access to PPE, 94 9% are wearing masks in the clinic, but only 8 9% of patients are wearing masks Before this lockdown, 16 7% of the enrolled candidates attended on line lectures and webinars, but since then, this has significantly surged to 80 5% (p <  001) CONCLUSION: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, as with everybody else, our young ophthalmologists have been affected on many different levels;psychologically, education and practice levels