COVID-19 NEWS & UPDATES

Our priority at Atlantic Eye is to continue to provide the highest possible level of eye care for our patients during the current COVID-19 public health emergency. While we are limiting in-person visits to urgent visits only, we are now additionally offering a telehealth option as well. This service makes it easy and convenient for you to connect with your Atlantic Eye doctor while staying safely at home.

Please call us for detailed information on how to access our new patient portal where you will be able to review medical records, make online payments, and schedule your next appointment or virtual telehealth visit.  Our staff will be available to answer your questions and direct your care. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure your eye health, as well as everyone’s safety, during this uncertain time.

In order to reduce the possibility of transmission of the coronavirus we will be screening all of our patients prior to scheduling and confirming appointments.

Questions We’ll Ask During the Pre-screening Process

• Have you or anyone you have been in contact with been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
• Have you been sick with flu like symptoms or been exposed to anyone with flu-like symptoms? (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
• Have you been out of the country or have you been exposed to anyone who has recently been out of the country?
• Are you planning to travel out of the country prior to your scheduled appointment?

*If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and our desire to protect our patients and staff, we will need to schedule/reschedule the appointment to a later date*

However, in the event of an eye emergency, our staff and doctors will do everything they can to accommodate you.

Most importantly, we ask you to please call and alert our staff *if your medical status has changed* after the scheduling of your appointment, and we will reschedule your appointment accordingly.

Our intention is not to cause you, our patient, any inconvenience, but to keep all of our patients and staff safe in an ongoing effort to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.

• Have plenty of supplies on hand.
• Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
• If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications.
• Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
• Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

• Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:

1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
3. New confusion or inability to arouse
4. Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.

• Stay home and call your doctor.
• Call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
• If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home.
• Know when to get emergency help.
• Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed above.

Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.
This may be because:

• As people age, their immune systems change, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection.
• Many older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.
• If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce exposures to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of the disease.

If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to age or because you have a severe underlying medical condition, it is especially important for you to take action to reduce your risk of exposure.