Your Ophthalmologist Is Ready To See You
(NAPSI)—When ophthalmologist Ruth Williams, MD, opened her office after shutting down early in 2020 due to the pandemic, she was surprised to see how many people had developed serious eye problems in just a few months.
Preventive care is especially important in eye care because many common eye diseases can rob you of your good vision before you notice signs of trouble.
“Far too often, we witness the consequences of patients entering the ophthalmologist’s office too late to avoid severe vision loss,” said Dr. Williams, a glaucoma specialist at the Wheaton Eye Clinic in the Chicago suburbs. “Protecting vision is such a high value thing.”
The good news is ophthalmologists—medical and surgical physicians trained to recognize all the potential threats to vision—have figured out how to safely practice medicine in the era of COVID. Dr. Williams says most eye doctors hope not to shutter their offices again.
EyeCare America Can Help
If the cost of an eye exam is a concern, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America program may be able to help. This national public service program provides eyecare through thousands of volunteer ophthalmologists for eligible seniors 65 and older, and those at increased risk for eye disease, mostly at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. As one EyeCare America patient said, “Because of your program, my vision will be saved. The doctor was professional, and the diagnosis was spot on. EyeCare America is a beautiful thing!”
Who Should See an Ophthalmologist?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends all adults have a comprehensive eye exam by age 40, and every year or two after age 65.
Other reasons to see an ophthalmologist include:
1.If you are experiencing new symptoms, including blurry, wavy or blank spots in your field of vision.
2.If you injure your eye, even if it seems minor. Damage to the eye is not always obvious and may require treatment.
3.If you get eye injections for an existing eye disease and have not done so during COVID-19. You should contact your ophthalmologist now.
4.If you’ve put off surgery, such as cataract surgery, during COVID-19.You should contact your ophthalmologist.
Safety Procedures During COVID
Ophthalmologists have taken many steps to create a safe environment during the pandemic. Your ophthalmologist is probably ready for you. Here is what you should expect to see:
•The clinic is likely to restrict the number of people who enter. If you don’t need someone to be there with you, don’t bring anyone to your appointment.
•The clinic may ask you to wait outside or in your car, instead of in the normal waiting room.
•Expect to see hand sanitizer when you enter the building and in the waiting room and exam rooms.
•Expect to be asked to wear a mask.
•Chairs will be spaced out to accommodate social distancing.
•Cleaning will occur more frequently throughout the clinic.
•As usual, exam rooms and equipment will be thoroughly cleaned after every patient exits.
•Expect to be asked a series of questions to determine your risk profile.
•Expect someone will take your temperature.
•Your ophthalmologist may use a special plastic breath shield on the slit lamp machine they use to look into your eyes.
•Your eyecare professionals may ask you to wait to speak until after your eye exam is complete. Then they can talk with you and answer questions when they can be a safe distance from you.
Learn More
For more information regarding EyeCare America and to see if you or someone you care for qualify, visit www.aao.org/eyecare-america.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Critic News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE CRITIC NEWS
RECENT THE CRITIC CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
- Curbing Colorectal Cancer in Minority Populations