COVID-19

Your Eyecare at Abernethy Owens and COVID-19

 

A return to the "new normal"

As the time goes on, we are all finding our way through the "new normal". As COVID outbreaks occur and the border restrictions across Australia fluctuate we have to remain vigilant, as recent events show how quickly this virus can spread. Since March, we have implemented strict hygiene practices which have been maintained throughout the year. OUr plan it to maintain these new measures for the foreseeable future, therefore you can be assured that if you attend an Abernethy Owens practice your health and safety remains our utmost priority.   

There are some eye conditions, such as Glaucoma or Macula Degeneration, which are progressive in nature and respond best to treatment when detected early on. Taking care of and preserving your vision is our number one priority as eye health providers and we do not want you to go untreated or undiagnosed during this pandemic. It is still important for you to attend your regular eye examinations, especially if you are being monitored for any eye-related conditions. 

We are ready to book you in for your appointment

We are currently operating to full capacity and can provide all aspects of Optometric care. All our services are available including all Contact lens, spectacle and Dry Eye consultations and all diagnostic tests and scans. Please give us a call or book an appointment online through our website. It is important not to neglect your eye health and regular eye examinations are a critical part of monitoring any progression in or signs of eye disease.

Did you opt to defer your appointment?

If you chose to defer your routine eye examination due to the COVID-19 pandemic, firstly we'd like to thank you for allowing us to prioritise our more urgent patients. With our capacity back to normal we encourage you to revisit your booking when ever it’s convenient for you to do so.It's simple as giving us a call or booking online.

How will your appointment be different in the months to come?

We have made a number of procedural changes in our locations to support good hygiene practices and help to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19. They inlcude:

  • Hand sanitiser available in all practices for staff and patient use
  • Following good hand hygiene and regularly washing or sanitising our hands, especially after contact with others, both at work and at home
  • Wiping down / disinfecting all the surfaces (including benchtops, countertops, phones, chairs, computers, equipment, frames, EFTPOS machines) in our practices multiple times per day
  • Staff are instructed not to come to work if they are feeling unwell for any reason

What you can do to help:

  • Please use the hand sanitiser provided as you enter the practice
  • If you are unwell, we ask you not to come to the practice and ask a family member or friend to collect spectacles or contact lenses for you
  • If you have returned from overseas or interstate since the past few weeks we ask you not to come to the practice. Please ensure you are adhering to the required 14 day quarantine / self isolation rulings
  • If you are in quarantine / self isolation and have concerns about your vision or any sudden changes in your vision, please phone us to speak with an Optometrist about your concerns
  • If you need to cough or sneeze, please do so into the corner of your elbow and wash or sanitise your hands afterwards
  • Follow social distancing guidelines while in the practice, keep 1.5m away from patients and staff where possible
  • Avoid touching your face including eyes, nose and mouth

A note about contact lens wear

If you are suffering from any viral illness (whether suspected COVID-19 or not) then you should cease contact lens wear while you are ill and for 24 hours after your symptoms resolve. As yourself if you have a pair of spectacles to wear in this instance.