19th July COVID update
Summary
What is remaining in place:
Appointment only visits.
Health screening before an appointment.
Use of Full PPE by staff and Clients expected to wear a mask.
Enhanced sanitising of the practice.
Appointment spacing increased to ensure fewer people in the practice and more cleaning time.
All spectacles UVC sterilised after trying on.
Minimising contact by using 4d peripheral eye scanning rather than prolonged close contact viewing of your eyes.
Alternative pressure testing.
What is changing:
We are now allowing access to our toilet facilities.
We have opened up some extra clinics to help with demand.
Our Audiology Service will resume shortly.
Why do you feel the need to continue with restrictions when the government says it is no longer necessary?
Whilst we are happy that most aspects of life can start to get back to normal, it is no secret that cases are still on the rise. We work in a job that involves very close contact with people for a long period of time – Our eye examinations are up to 90minutes long. We want everyone to be protected, safe and comfortable, and if wearing a mask, employing some small changes to how we operate and using PPE does that, then it is a very small ask.
Due to our expertise, we attract patients from all walks of life, including the very young and elderly and many patients with learning or physical difficulties and those with complex health and eye care needs. Not all of these people are vaccinated and therefore rely on the general population to help protect them.
Our staff work closely with patients and therefore are susceptible to contracting and transmitting various illnesses. PPE, screens in situ, sanitising and sterilisation are easy things to do to reduce the spread of disease. If one of our staff is unwell, we have to cancel other people’s appointments. People who may be desperate for eye care. There is already a large backlog in many areas of health care, and we do not want to compound this. We also need to remain open to provide an income for all our staff.
So, what will be asked of me?
Very little- we are taking most of the responsibility through what we do in practice with PPE, screens, sanitising etc. But you will be asked to wear a mask during your visit (unless previously exempt) and fill in a health survey before you attend.
Why still the need for a health survey?
We screen everyone coming in not just for coronavirus symptoms but also those of other illnesses. Before the pandemic, numerous appointments were wasted due to people turning up with colds etc. and us turning them away, advising not to have their eyes examined on that day- When you are unwell, your eyes tend to be watery/dry and lead to false readings and so an eye examination is not accurate. Also, there is a risk that you can pass illness onto staff who then further spread it or have to take time off work.
Can I book a routine eye examination?
Yes. By keeping all our measures in place, we aim to give you the safest possible visit and therefore, if you are due an eye examination or have noticed any changes to your eyes, it is important not to delay.
Unlike many high street practices, we have always operated to restrict the number of people in practice by carefully managing appointment times and clinics. This was designed to give clients the best possible customer service and exclusive feel to the practice- you have our full attention. The recent restrictions have allowed us to hone these practices, ensuring everyone feels happy and comfortable in our practice.
We have not been able to offer the number of appointments we would usually like to keep everyone safe. This has been a personal choice and not enforced. 9 months ago, when many of the high street practices went back to 15 minute testing with multiple consulting rooms, we have remained firm in seeing clients hourly to allow for extra cleaning and spacing. Longer, more specialist appointments are what we are renowned for anyway, so the key is to continue this sensibly.
What examination do you recommend?
Our more advanced eye examinations allow us to perform more thorough testing with less risk to you. We use 4D OCT scanning to check your peripheral retina rather than spending a long time close up to you with a light looking into your eyes. We use a different way to measure your eye pressures currently- no puff of air that could potentially spray tear film aerosols around the room. Our first and second-tier examinations allow us to detect conditions up to 8 years sooner than a standard eye examination, so they are also a good option if the pandemic has delayed your eye examination or hospital visits. For example, the first-tier examination includes all your usual eye tests and in addition numerous 4D OCT scans for glaucoma, macula degeneration, diabetic eye disease, peripheral eye problems, anterior eye complaints, drainage angle measuring, advanced visual fields, pachymetry corneal thickness measuring, GMPE early glaucoma detection to name just a few! We can help you to select the appropriate examination for you when you call to book.
We are slowly opening some additional clinics and resuming our audiology service, so please contact us if you are due for an eye examination.
Can I save some money?
Yes! We realise that the pandemic has bought finances to the forefront of many people’s minds, so we have expanded our Vision Care Plan. The monthly direct debit scheme allows you to spread payments for your examinations over 12 or 24 months, gives you a large discount on your eye examination fees and 15% discount off of new spectacles and sunglasses as well as discounts off products and free insurance for your spectacles. There is no obligation, but when you attend, we will let you know how much you can save by joining the plan and other benefits for you to decide upon.
