Current News January 2021

We are open through the National Lockdown of Winter 2021 for eye examinations, spectacle fitting, dispensing and repairs, and contact lens appointments

How We Keep You Safe

When you visit our practice you will see we are operating entirely differently during the Covid 19 pandemic, here's what we are doing:

• access by appointment only, so we can keep our door locked and prevent overcrowding in our spacious facilities
• symptoms and temperature checks on entry so we can prevent infection spreading in our premises
• hand sanitiser on entry, exit and at various points in your stay with us
• staff covid testing twice weekly to give you confidence we are safe - newly introduced this January
• face protection for all - customers and staff wear face masks and staff wear face shields and aprons whenever close working is needed
• longer appointment times to allow us to thoroughly clean everything you might conceivably come into contact with during your visit
• all spectacle frames quarantined and sanitised before being reintroduced to our displays
• new mechanical ventilation installed in consulting rooms to keep our air fresh, with heat exchangers to make sure we limit the impact on the environment
• our Optomap retinal scans allow us to inspect your eyes in superb detail whilst still allowing us to keep distancing

As COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines, it is crucial that you understand the symptoms and risks associated with the virus. Protecting yourself and those around you is vital, as so much new information emerges every day. COVID-19, commonly known as Coronavirus, can manifest itself in different ways depending on how you react to the virus, so it’s essential to take the right precautions to be on the safe side.

Looking after your health includes looking after your eyes, which could play a role in the spread and prevention of the outbreak.

While it may be unlikely that you can catch Coronavirus through your eyes, it is still essential to follow good hygienic practices to minimise any risk.

WEARING CONTACT LENSES

If you wear contact lenses, it may be beneficial to switch to glasses while COVID-19 is a risk. Generally speaking, contact lens wearers touch their eyes more than the average person, which can increase your risk of spreading germs.

If you often find yourself touching your eyes frequently, you may want to consider wearing glasses more often. Substituting your contact lenses for spectacles can reduce irritation and could also act as a deterrent when going to touch your eyes.

If you choose to maintain contact lens wear, be even more stringent in washing your hands before inserting and removing your lenses. Washing your hands is something that should always be done as routine anyway but increasing the frequency will help to reduce the chances of contracting and passing on the virus.

PROTECTING YOUR EYES

Wearing spectacles could act as an additional layer of protection. COVID-19 is thought to be contracted through airborne respiratory droplets, usually caused when someone infected coughs or sneezes. This is very similar to a cold or flu virus. Your spectacles may act as a barrier to protect your eyes from this, although it won’t provide 100% security.

OCULAR SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS

The latest information from Hospital Eye Doctors suggests Conjunctivitis often referred to as a “red-eye”, is not commonly seen in a person with the COVID-19 virus until late in the disease. This research is backed by several international research projects.

REDUCING YOUR RISK

Reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 with simple measures, starting with washing your hands frequently and for long enough. Keeping a safe distance and wearing a face covering when appropriate. You should also reduce your exposure by avoiding people who are ill and staying at home if you are ill yourself.

Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces in your home; viruses can last on surfaces for hours, and so you can reduce your risk by making sure things that you touch are clean.

Symptoms generally show within 2-14 days, and these are (as per the nhs.uk website):

• A high temperature- you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• A new, continuous cough- you have started coughing repeatedly

It is recommended that you self-isolate if you begin to notice any symptoms so that you do not pass it to others, including not going to your GP, pharmacy or hospital. You DO NOT need to phone 111 to tell them you are staying at home.

If you start to notice changes in your health or your symptoms get worse, it is advised to use the NHS 111 Coronavirus service https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ and only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Please contact us if you have any visual concerns, we are here to support you through these difficult times.

Above all else, it’s a necessary time to look out for one another.