COVID-19 Safety Update

Atlantic Eye Institute is working diligently with our physicians and staff to prepare for the potential impacts of the coronavirus in our community. We’re closely following the latest guidance from the CDC, Florida Department of Health, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology to manage how to continue to provide the highest quality eye care to our patients.

A Message from Dr. Charles Duss

Clinic Updates

To keep our patients and staff safe, Atlantic Eye Institute has instituted the following procedures to manage in-office visits:

Virtual Eye Exams

Online appointments are now available. These virtual eye exams will allow you to meet securely with one of our board-certified eye doctors all from the comfort and safety of your own home. Click here to learn more.

Screening

All patients and staff will be screened with temperature readings before entry to our clinics. We are also requesting that patients reschedule their appointments and employees remain home if

• they have recently traveled internationally or to affected areas
• they have come in contact with someone with the virus
• they are experiencing cough, fever or flu-like symptoms

Limiting Visitors

We are asking patients to only be accompanied in the office if they require assistance. We are also providing curbside pick-up for glasses and contact lenses.

Masking

To keep our patients safe, all staff will be wearing facemasks. To keep our staff safe, patients are encouraged to wear facemasks when visiting our clinic. For more information on making a homemade facemask, please click here.

Environment

Surfaces and equipment are disinfected between patients, and our waiting rooms have been arranged to accommodate appropriate social distancing standards. We are also performing daily deep cleaning and disinfecting of the entire office.

Surgery Updates

In adherence to Governor DeSantis’s executive order, Atlantic Eye Institute is postponing all non-urgent surgeries until the order has been lifted on May 4th.

If your surgery has been deemed urgent or emergent by your surgeon, s/he and will contact you to discuss the risks and potential benefits of proceeding during a public health emergency.

Jacksonville Beach Surgery Center maintains the highest standards for infection prevention during normal times and has taken additional steps to reinforce these standards including:

• Screening for potential coronavirus patients upon and, whenever possible, before arriving at our facilities
• Review of policies for hand hygiene and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Proper environmental cleaning
• Isolation procedures for patients who may have a respiratory infection
• Visitor policies to prohibit people who may have a respiratory illness from visiting
• Communication with the health department and the CDC if warranted

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Florida Department of Health
• American Academy of Ophthalmology