COVID-19 Q&A Resource Centre

Are you open?

We are here to help.Our front door may be closedbutwe are just a telephone call away to help and support you withany eye care, eye wearor vision needs that you may have.

Can coronavirus damage my eyes?

It is not thought thatCOVID-19 will damage your eyes. Very rarely,conjunctivitis may manifest as the first sign of COVID-19. Whilst the ocular symptoms are usually self-limiting, affected patients are advised to seek medical advice if they develop any sever eye pain, sensitivity to light or systemic symptoms such as high fever, coughing or difficulty in breathing. If you have any issues or worries about your eyes then please call us.

Can I get my eyes tested?

Currently all routine eye care is suspended. Now is not a good time for you to have a routine eye examination. If you think you need an eye test for any reason then please call us and we will help in any way that we can.

My eye test is due now what will happen?

All routine eye tests are currently suspended and so if you are due an eye examination please don't forget the appointment as we recommend that you have it just as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have had your eyes sitting with us previously then we will call you as soon as we believe it is safe to get you back into the practice.

Should I just wait until my next eye test is due?

Routine eye care is a vital part of maintaining good eye health and great vision and as such we don't think it's a good idea to miss this appointment for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

What do I do if I have a problem with my vision?

If you have any issues with your vision please call us straight away to discuss it further. We will then agree the correct course of action and ensure you get the best possible care.

Can you help me without having to see you?

All consultations will be initially by phone. By using safe, remote methods such as telephone calls, reviewing images and conference calling we are often able to resolve your issue without the need of a face to face appointment. A recent survey revealed that over 80% of all calls were resolved without the need to visit the Optician or hospital.

My glasses have broken what should I do?

Call us for an emergency appointment. We will have all spectacle dispensing details on record and we can make sure that we fix or replace your spectacles and get you back seeing clearly as quickly as possible. If you haven't been to us before we can still help, just give us a call and we can discuss it further.

Is it safe to wear contact lenses?

It is believed that it is perfectly safe to wear contact lenses during the current situation as long as you follow the correct hygiene procedures provided by your Optician. If you feel unwell it is good advice to stop wearing lenses until you feel better again.

Can I still get contact lenses?

We are able to supply contact lenses directly to you throughout the lockdown situation. if you are on one of our contact lens vision plans you don't need to do anything. We have already arranged for your lenses to be delivered directly to your home without any interruption.

What if I am due a contact lens care check?

If you are due a contact lens care check then this is considered to be a routine appointment and as such currently you will not need to attend. All we need to do is have a brief telephone conversation and then we can agree to defer your routine appointment until it is safe to see you. Don't worry this will not affect your supply of contact lenses we will be able to continue to supply them until it's safe to see you again.

What if I need to get solutions/supplements/eye drops or similar?

We are still able to supply all of the eye related products that we have always stocked. Simply telephone us and we can even arrange home delivery for you if you wish.

I am considered highly vulnerable and I have a vision problem what should I do?

The simple answer is call us. We are here to help we will discuss your issues on the phone and agree the best way forward. there are many things that we can do that will not require face to face contact and this will always be our preferred method of solving any problems.

Is it safe to wear glasses currently?

The simple answer is yes, it is completely safe to wear your spectacles. They will however need regular cleaning and just like any other solid object, it is believed that COVID-19 can survive for a period of time. Simply clean your spectacles regularly using soap and water just like how you clean your hands.

How will it be safe to have an eye test in the future?

That is a very good question and it is one that we are working on at the moment. We are working very closely with NHS England, the local care Commission group and our regulatory bodies to get back to providing high quality routine eye care as quickly as possible. This is likely to include a strict cleaning and sanitisation regime combined with a higher level of personal protection equipment and a complete review of every process and stage of your visit. It is highly likely that we will need to make some changes both to the layout of the practice and to the eye examination itself to ensure your complete safety. As soon as we've established this new method, we will let you know.

I have a hospital appointment about my eyes. Do I still attend?

All hospital departments have reduced or stopped outpatient appointments and as such it is advised that you confirm any appointment will still be taking place before you visit. if you're unsure or want more advice simply give us a call.

I need to get my glasses repaired?

We are still here to repair or replace any glasses that might be damaged. Simply give us a call and we will arrange that repair through an emergency appointment.

What if I have a resident in a care home who needs an eye test?

Currently all domiciliary eye care is suspended but we are here to help and assist in any way that we can. Simply call us and we will arrange the best care plan possible to ensure that your resident has good comfortable vision.

What if I need a home visit?

Again, currently all routine home visits are suspended but we are here to provide urgent and emergency care and support. Give us a phone call and we can discuss your individual needs and make sure that we keep your vision as clear as possible.

When are you going to start testing again?

The simple answer is that we don't know yet. We are working very closely with NHS England and our regulatory bodies to ensure that we are currently doing what is required to save lives and protect our NHS. We are also aware of the importance of regular eye examinations and as such we are working as hard as we can towards establishing a safe environment to get back to doing what we love.

What if I have a question that you haven't answered?

Please call us on 020 8867 0406, we're here to help and we are only a phone call away.