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Dear valued patients and friends,
As we are all looking forward to reopening our nation amidst the COVID-19 threat, please be assured that our office continues to use protocols for a clean environment, and always have, to avoid spread of disease. We have also implemented additional safeguards to decrease health risks for both you and our staff.
I do want to reiterate again what you are hearing from other health officials everywhere. Stay at home if you are not well. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Keep your hands away from your face and eyes. Wear a mask to best protect yourself and others around you, as we now know, some people may not have symptoms while testing (+) for COVID19.
Please call our office if you need to come in. We are scheduling in such a way to limit the number of patients in the office at any one time to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
With the newest CDC recommendations for opening up America, we will again be scheduling nonurgent medical and vision exams, as allowed by PA health officials. We will be returning to our normal office hours as of May 11th and will adjust hours as needed due to increased demand.
As always, if you have an urgent ocular or visual concern: Do not hesitate to contact our office if you have a new eye problem, such as sudden vision loss, eye pain, excessive new floaters, flashes of light, or ocular injury. You will be cared for as is most appropriate.
Upon arrival for your appointment, call the office from your car, and inform Tammy of your arrival, if you have a cell phone. She will then text or call when it is best for you to come in.
Upon entering our office, please expect that your temperature will be taken, and it is necessary for you to wash your hands upon arrival. A mask must be worn into the office. Preferably come in on your own, however one person may accompany you to your appointment, if necessary, for assistance or parental guidance.
We are equipped for various telehealth virtual appointments as needed. We will discuss how best to handle your personal situation. Please call our office for more information on having a consultation via your patient portal, telephone, as well as a virtual appointment through Facetime or Skype. Medicare is allowing for these types of virtual visits during this pandemic, and many other insurers are following suit. These virtual visits must be initiated at your request, and Tammy will need to document your verbal consent to such visits.
If you have eyeglasses or contact lenses on order: Call for the best time to come in for the new frame adjustment. Eric will happily deliver CLs to your car with notice of your arrival.
Remember to wash your eyeglass frame and lenses daily with hot, non-lotion containing soap and water. Do NOT use ammonia products, shaving cream, or bleach on your lenses.
For those who wear contact lenses: Be sure to maintain healthy hand hygiene before insertion and removal. For those not in daily replacement CLs, adhere to proper CL care and replacement. Use fresh solution every time you disinfect, clean your CL case with hot soapy water every day and rinse thoroughly, and replace your case at least every month.
In general, if you are ever ill with cold or flu-like symptoms, even if not related to the coronavirus, it is generally recommended to wear glasses over CLs, as illness can disrupt the body's natural tear production and protective quality mechanisms and may lead to dry eyes or other ocular issues.
If you are nearing the end of your CL supply, and are in need of your annual exam, we may be able to extend your prescription during this time. Please call to discuss this on an individual basis. Do not over-wear your contact lenses so as not to put your eye health at unnecessary risk.
For those patients on maintenance medication prescribed by our office:
Please contact us if refills are needed. Medication refills will be sent directly to the pharmacy as is our usual protocol.
Please be assured that we always have your eye care as well as overall health care as our foremost concern. We are here for you as you need us.
Our continued prayers are for you and your families, that we remain healthy as a community, and care for one another as would please God while we continue to face this health care challenge.
Best wishes for good health,
Dr Lisa Keiser
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