Infection spread

We will limit number of patients in the practice at any time to allow for social distancing. Please wait outside the practice until being invited in if there are already 5 people in the practice.

There will be designated areas for patients waiting for collections, dispensings, adjustments and pre-screening.

Hand sanitizers for staff and patients will be provided at each station and on entry.

Consultations will be by appointment only and will be longer than usual to allow for disinfection and PPE change.

Provision of PPE

Optometrists will be required to wear masks, eye protection and aprons. All other staff will wear masks. Gloves are available, or frequent hand washing can be done if preferred.

Clinical assistants will be working behind a perspex barrier and can keep patients, for the most part more than 2m away. However, PPE is available (masks in particular) and the wearing of masks when dealing with patients is advisable. Any contact with cash, cards, card machines or patient’s spectacles, cases etc will require immediate hand sanitization.

All necessary PPE will be changed between patients and disposed of appropriately.    

Assessment of “touch” areas and how to minimise them.

If the weather permits, leave the front door open so the handle is not used, the door to the test room should also be left open (it will help with the circulation of fresh air). Any where patients touch should be wiped down, including the bannister if they go upstairs, seating, trial frames, lenses, slit lamp rests and brow bars.

Frames which have been tried on and all small tools & equipment will be sanitized after every patient using a UVC sterilizing cabinet.