UMSL Eye Care

Our offices are continuing to have the conversation about when we will be able to reopen with the CDC, UM System, and St. Louis County recommendations. Our staff will continue to respond to your phone calls and questions; please call (314) 516-5131 if you need any clinic information! Taking care of your eyes continues to be our focus! Jennifer Fink, RN, BSN, wrote an excellent article on the need for continued eyecare through the COVID-19 Pandemic: https://www.healthgrades....com//eye-doctor-visits-during-the Call our office if you have any questions or need additional information! (314) 516-5131

Keeping your eyeglasses clean is very important, not only for your vision, but also for your health during the COVID-19 pandemic! Here's some basic advice for spectacle care during this time: 1. Don't wipe eyeglasses when they're dry. Use either eyeglasses cleaner (which is usually formulated to be safe for anti-glare or blue-blocker lenses) or basic Dawn dish soap and warm water. 2. Don't use a tissue! Tissues are the go-to, but they should NOT be. Use a lint-free cloth, l...ike a microfiber cloth, that's very soft so as to avoid scratching your lenses. 3. DO store your eyeglasses either in a case, or by laying them lens-side up. This will save them from getting scratched up! 4. DO wash your hands, especially if you are going to be taking your eyeglasses off or putting them back on. 5. DO use both of your hands when putting your frames on, or when taking them off. This will save your frame from bending, and will help it keep its shape. See more

Contact Lens Care remains a relevant topic during COVID-19. The American Optometric Association has laid out a few bullet points for you to consider, as you take care of your eyes and of your contact lenses during this time: According to the best available scientific evidence: Contact Lens Wear Remains a Good Option for Healthy People There is currently no evidence to suggest that contact lens wearers are at more risk for acquiring COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers. Contac...t lens wear continues to be a highly effective form of visual correction. PROPER HAND WASHING IS ESSENTIAL!!! Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry with a clean paper towel both prior to applying and removing your lenses Care for Contact Lenses Properly If you wear daily disposable lenses, dispose of lenses after each wear If you wear reusable lenses, clean and disinfect your lenses according to eye care professional’s recommendations Pay particular attention to cleaning, drying and disposing of your lens case as directed. Monthly replacement of cases is suggested by experts. As with any illness, anyone who does not feel well should stop contact lens wear until healthy again Eyeglasses Should be Cleaned Regularly Viruses, such as COVID-19, can remain on hard surfaces for hours to days, which can be transferred to the spectacle wearers’ fingers and face Wash your eyeglasses regularly Wash your hands prior to handling your eyeglasses Eyeglasses Do Not Provide Complete Protection Standard eyeglasses do not provide protection from material entering from around the sides, top and bottoms of frames. Neither Standard eyeglasses nor contact lenses are approved for use as personal protective equipment (PPE) according to the CDC Take care of your eyes; avoid touching your face as much as possible; and stay healthy! For more information, or to be contacted regarding appointments, call (314) 516-5131, or visit eyecare.umsl.edu

Did you know that reading comprehension is closely tied to vision? When students struggle with reading, it affects every subject they study in school. If your student struggles with reading, consider starting the process of finding solutions, with a comprehensive, dilated eye exam. Our office is currently taking appointments for June, 2020 (subject to COVID-19 recommendations). Call (314) 516-5131 for more information; our friendly staff will return your call within 1 business day! https://www.aoa.org//resource/a-look-at-reading-and-vision

Even during a pandemic, certain traditions at the University of Missouri remain unchanged! Check out the Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival for some great stories to share with kids of all ages! There's even a Storytime for Adults in the evenings! https://extensiondata.missouri.edu//Do/VirtualSLSF2020.pdf