A letter to our patients: Our Plan to Reopen

The American Optometric Association (AOA) has confirmed with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officials that the agency’s March 17 nationwide recommendations to postpone routine eye care is no longer in effect.

Our goal is to responsibly serve our patients in the safest environment possible.  Starting May 13^th we will reopen for: routine eye care, purchasing eye wear and frame adjustments/repairs by appointment only. 

We will begin seeing a reduced number of patients to allow for social distancing and more time to sanitize between patients.  This is a fluid plan that can change rapidly based on the health of the community as well as any city or state guidelines.

We also want to note that we will do our best to accommodate our patients, but we are not able to accommodate everyone the same way we did in the past.  We are decreasing our patient rate by about 50% per day.  Please be patient with us while we do our best to accommodate everyone. 

Our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients, staff, and doctors. We realize not all patients will be comfortable coming back into the office setting right away and we will still offer telehealth appointments (when appropriate), especially for at-risk patients.

When Scheduling an Appointment:

• We are going to attempt to gather as much information as possible by phone prior to the appointment to limit the amount of time you are in the office.   
• Our conversation will be limited in the office.
• We will be asking the following questions and gathering the following information:
  • COVID-19 related questions:
    • Have you run a fever greater than 100.0 in the last 14 days?
    • Had a cough or difficulty breathing in the last 14 days?
    • Are you experiencing any signs of illness: sore throat, muscle aches, etc ?
    • Have you tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 30 days?
    • Are you under evaluation for COVID-19?
    • Have you been exposed to anyone with Covid-19 within the last 14 days?
    • Have you been exposed to anyone suspected of Covid-19 within the last 14 days?
  • Demographic information:
    • Name, address, DOB, phone number, email address
    • Vision plan – including insured name, DOB and SSN
    • Medical plan – including insured name, DOB and SSN
    • Please email the front desk a copy of your medical card (front and back) prior to your appointment at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• You will also receive a call from one of our technicians or doctors at some point prior to your exam to review your reason for visit, ocular and medical history, medications, etc.  Normally, he or she would start your exam with this, but we will call prior to your appointment to reduce your face-to-face time in the office.

Limited Entry to the Office:

• Entry to the office will be by appointment only.  This includes not only exams, but also pickups and frame adjustments. 
• Curbside pickups are still preferred to maintain social distance and do not require an appointment -just call to tell us you are on your way and when you arrive. 
• If you would like to come inside for a pickup and/or a frame adjustment, we ask that you call to schedule an appointment.
• Doors will remain locked to help reduce the number of patients entering the office.
• No personal guests will be allowed entry in the office (with the exception of one parent/guardian for minors or special needs patients).  If you cannot come alone, your appointment will need to be rescheduled
• While we do not anticipate our normal volume of patients in the office as we are starting with a limited number of appointments, please attempt to maintain social distance from other patients and staff when possible.

When you arrive to the office:

• When you arrive at the office, please stay in your car and call to let us know you are here.  When your exam room is ready, we will call you back and greet you at the door.  
• ALL patients must wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose at all times upon entering the office.  Please put your face mask on PRIOR to entering the office.  For your protection, our staff will be wearing face masks as well. 
• When entering the building, you will be escorted to the sink to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds prior to starting.

Exam Room and Testing Rooms

• We ALWAYS have rigorous sanitation and disinfection practices at our office as we routinely examine and treat patients with highly infectious eye diseases.  As usual, we will maintain universal precautions and sanitation procedures as rooms are cleaned between every patient. 
• We realize that certain portions of your testing and examination will require close proximity to our staff members and doctors, but we will do our best to protect you and ourselves at all times.

Optical

• Our opticians and frame stylists will assist you in frame selection. 
• Please do not touch any frames on the frame boards.  Please ask an optician for assistance. 
• All frames will be sanitized after being handled so we ask that you not place them back on the shelves. 

Our Doctors and Staff

• Our doctors and staff will look a little different when you enter the office.  All staff members will be wearing masks and scrubs.  Any staff member that will have direct patient contact will have a face shield or other protective eye wear
• We will strictly follow guidelines set by the CDC and AOA as employers:

Employers

-Screen all employees reporting to work for COVID-19 symptoms

-Temperature screening of employees

-Direct any employee who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms to leave premises and seek medical care and/or testing per CDC guidelines.

-Implement workplace cleaning and disinfection

-Mitigate exposure in the workplace – this means social distancing and modifying work schedule

• Employees

-Stay home when feeling ill.

-Increase hygiene practices, wash hands frequently, avoid touching

face.

-Wear a face mask covering while at work.

-Practice recommended social distancing as much as possible.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.  We are so excited to be able to serve you again and we look forward to seeing you soon!