Hello patients and families,

We are all confident after staff training this past week that our office is ready to resume patient care May 18^th as planned. Our new safety protocols and mitigation measures are firmly in place. We are repeating them below from last week’s update. Also, those of you who had appointments scheduled during our closure, we will call you to reschedule those. Our staff is also working through the list of those who requested appointments through voice messages or emails. Please be patient with us as we will get you all contacted very shortly.

We thought we’d share what we’ve been doing since March 20^th when we closed. We have had a small group comprised of the four doctors, administrative staff and optical supervisor working together nonstop as a team. Collectively we’ve gathered extensive information and accessed CDC guidance on safely reopening; attended various webinars sponsored by both the state and national Optometric leadership among others; obtained necessary PPE for doctors and staff; dispensed glasses and contacts curbside; created a different appointment schedule, etc. A doctor or staff member have alternated going to the office daily. All this in addition to hundreds of group texts, emails, phone calls and numerous Zoom meetings, and finally staff training has brought us to where we are. We are ready to go!

Below is a reminder of the new protocols to expect. This is a time when we are unable to be flexible in breaching any of these new standards. One thing that has never changed since March 20th is that the safety of our patients and staff remains the primary focus above all else.

*All patients and staff will be required to wear face masks during the duration of time they will be in the office. One will be provided for you if you fail to bring one.

*We will ask you to call from your car upon your arrival, and a staff member will come to greet you at our front door. It’s imperative to abide by this in order to maintain mitigation requirements in the office.

*Temperatures will be taken upon entering our office - if any fever or illness symptoms are present, you will not be allowed to enter.

*Appointments will be scheduled as to minimize contact with other patients.

*Only patients with appointments will be allowed to enter the office - unless you are accompanying a young child or a patient needing special assistance (all of whom will need to be wearing a mask.) Please have other guests wait for you in the car.

*Hand sanitizing will be required upon entering and exiting the office.

*All appointments will be confirmed via a phone call to screen for general health and/or exposure to coronavirus prior to your visit.

*Please call for optical appointments including adjustments or repairs so we can schedule patients appropriately to maintain appropriate social distancing guidelines.

As before, in case of emergency such as eye pain, sudden vision loss, loss of peripheral vision etc., please call 563-508-9574. A Doctor will be on call at that number to counsel or triage any eye care concerns of this nature.

Just as we’ve gotten through the last two months together, we shall also move forward in the same manner. With a unified and optimistic approach to our “new normal”, we are confident we can reopen our doors for you in a safe and responsible way.

See you soon!

Eye Care Pavilion Doctors and Staff