Geospatial Distribution of Ophthalmologists Older Than Age 60 Years Relative to the Prevalence of COVID-19

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases as of February 1, 2021 and the proportion of ophthalmologists in the United States older than age 60 years to provide a framework for successful vaccine distribution for the ophthalmology workforce. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Association of American Medical Colleges ophthalmologist workforce dataset (from 2019) for each state was combined with John Hopkins University's COVID-19 tracking data to determine exposure risk for ophthalmologists, especially those older than age 60 years. RESULTS: Of the 18,915 practicing ophthalmologists in the US, 37.6% are older than age 60 years. North Dakota (48.4%), Connecticut (46.8%), and Maine (46.7%) have the highest percentages. South Dakota (9,567), Utah (7,559), and Idaho (7,411) currently have the highest COVID-19 exposure burden per ophthalmologist older than age 60 years as of February 1, 2021. CONCLUSION: Care must be taken to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in a safe and proactive manner to ophthalmologists that face high exposure risk, both to ensure physician safety and ensure adequate care for the population they serve.