What to Expect at Your Next Visit
Message
Prior to Appointment
During Appointment
Available Services
Ordering New Glasses
Ordering Contact Lenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Repairs?
Message
Personal Message
We are excited to see that California is lifting restrictions on businesses and progress is being made towards normalcy. These steps of progress could not have been possible without your dedication to safety during the pandemic and your willingness to vaccinate.
With these changes, we are able to increase capacity and provide more services.
The following mask requirement will remain in place at our office:
If you have underlying health conditions that require special safety protocols, please let us know so that we can schedule you accordingly to minimize exposure. We continue to follow guidelines established by the CDC.
California Guidance for Face Coverings
Mask Guidance for Individuals
Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
For additional information, individuals should refer to CDC Recommendations for Safer Activities (see CDPH Masking Guidance Frequently Asked Questions for more information)
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate out of the pandemic into a new normal.
Wishing you the best of health,
Kyle McCarthy, O.D.
With these changes, we are able to increase capacity and provide more services.
The following mask requirement will remain in place at our office:
- Healthcare providers and staff will continue to wear masks and provide safety hygiene protocols.
- All patients and staff will need to wear a mask in public common areas.
- Asymptomatic vaccinated individuals will be able to remove their masks in the examination room for testing.
If you have underlying health conditions that require special safety protocols, please let us know so that we can schedule you accordingly to minimize exposure. We continue to follow guidelines established by the CDC.
California Guidance for Face Coverings
Mask Guidance for Individuals
Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- On public transit[1](examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
- Indoors in K-12 schools[2], childcare[3] and other youth settings.
- Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.
- Healthcare settings[4] (including long term care facilities[5])
- State and local correctional facilities and detention centers[6]
- Homeless shelters[7], emergency shelters[8] and cooling centers[9]
For additional information, individuals should refer to CDC Recommendations for Safer Activities (see CDPH Masking Guidance Frequently Asked Questions for more information)
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate out of the pandemic into a new normal.
Wishing you the best of health,
Kyle McCarthy, O.D.
Prior to Appointment
Prior to Appointment
In order to safeguard our patients and staff, we require your assistance to complete the following items prior to your appointment:
1) Reschedule if you or any individuals you recently contacted have the following symptoms:
2) Scheduling an appointment:
3) Complete your paperwork prior to your visit:
4) No mask, no entry:
5) Missed appointments or incomplete paperwork:
6) Appointments required:
1) Reschedule if you or any individuals you recently contacted have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- Upset stomach.
2) Scheduling an appointment:
- You will be asked to follow a series of instructions prior to your visit.
- If you need eye wear, please let the office know upon scheduling appointment and see the tab "ordering new glasses"
3) Complete your paperwork prior to your visit:
- Patient forms reviewing your health, reason for visit and vision needs will be sent to you prior to your visit. These will allow us to plan the time accordingly to ensure a smooth flow that will prevent patient overlap.
- We have also eliminated the waiting room, snacks and magazines.
- Paperwork can be found here
4) No mask, no entry:
- Due to the inability to practice social distancing in an examination setting, patients and staff will be required to wear masks for safety. If you do not have a surgical mask, please notify us in advance and we will provide one upon arrival for your appointment
5) Missed appointments or incomplete paperwork:
- Missed or late appointments will not be able to be able to be rescheduled for 3 weeks.
6) Appointments required:
- All visits for examinations, medical emergencies and optical repairs require an appointment.
- Curbside drop off and pick up for eyeglass repairs will be available.
During Appointment
During Appointment
1) Arrive to your appointment on time:
2) Estimated Co-payments will be provided prior to your visit:
3) Use hand sanitizer and wash hands upon arrival:
4) You will notice the following office changes, please do not be alarmed:
5) Retinal imaging with comprehensive examinations where possible:
- The appointment times will be very carefully orchestrated to ensure maximal safety. We ask all patients to arrive on time to their appointment and text us at 805-482-8849 upon arrival. We will be locking the front door and letting a maximum of 3 patients in the office at one time.
2) Estimated Co-payments will be provided prior to your visit:
- You will be provided an estimate with your co-payments prior to your visit. It is important to review these estimates and let us know if you have any questions prior to arrival so that we can research your issues!
3) Use hand sanitizer and wash hands upon arrival:
- All patients entering the office will have temperatures taken and will be asked to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water.
4) You will notice the following office changes, please do not be alarmed:
- Breath shields at the counters and microscopes.
- Staff will be in face masks, scrubs and hair tied up.
- Staff will be spraying areas of patient contact with Hypochlorous Acid (Pure & Clean) Sanitizer.
- Waiting room will no longer have seating
- Optical is now open for browsing with appointments limited to 30 minutes
- There will no longer be beverages or snacks
5) Retinal imaging with comprehensive examinations where possible:
- All patients scheduling routine examinations at this time will be provided a retinal imaging for $35.00. Retinal imaging decreases the amount of time that you will be required to wait in the office and allows the doctor to thoroughly assess your eye health.
Available Services
Virtual Telemedicine Visits
For some cases, such as irritation of the eyes, swollen eyelids and some red-eye cases, virtual telemedicine consultations will be available. Please contact us at 805-482-8849 to determine if we can address your needs through a telemedicine consultation.
Ordering New Glasses
Optical Fitting:
- Feel free to schedule a virtual call with our frame stylists who will ask you a few questions about your preferred style. They will have frames set aside for you to view upon your arrival at your appointment! It's like having a personal stylist at your disposal!
- If you require eyewear assistance, please browse our new virtual catalog prior to our visit and let us know what styles appeal to you. Our opticians will have a private collection for you to choose from based on your selections.
Ordering Contact Lenses
Re-ordering contact lenses
Need to re-order contact lenses? Free shipping available at this time. Visit our online store!
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
What changes have been made to safeguard my health?
What if I do not want to wear a face mask in the office and am healthy?
Can I just drop in any time to pick up glasses or contact lenses?
Why do I have to make payments on my co-pays prior to my arrival?
Why do I need to complete the patient forms prior to my visit?
Why is Optomap necessary?
- Your health and our patient's health are of top priority. We are taking this issue very seriously and hope to do our part to prevent any accidental spread of COVID-19 including structural changes and significant procedural changes. If you have a compromised immune system, co-morbidity that may make you susceptible to severe complications or are a high risk population, we ask you to consider the necessity of the appointment you are scheduling.
What if I do not want to wear a face mask in the office and am healthy?
- Wearing a face mask is so much more than preventing contraction of the Corona Virus. It has been reported that individuals can be asymptomatic carriers that can spread the virus. As we work with many vulnerable patients, it is our job as a community to protect those who do not have a robust immune system. Even if you are asymptomatic, as a potential carrier there is the likelihood the patient that arrives after may be more susceptible to infection. While we respect the decisions of all of our patients, we cannot see you for your appointment or services if you do not comply.
Can I just drop in any time to pick up glasses or contact lenses?
- We offer curbside pick up and drop offs. In order to expedite the repair process, please provide us advanced notice by texting with anticipated drop off time. When you arrive, please text us and we will deliver the items to you curbside.
Why do I have to make payments on my co-pays prior to my arrival?
- To protect our patients, staff and enforce social distancing measures, we are addressing administrative items remotely to optimize your time in the office. In addition, questions on co-payments can be addressed in the comfort of your own home.
Why do I need to complete the patient forms prior to my visit?
- We have removed the waiting room furniture to prevent spread of the virus on surfaces and will not have a place for you to complete your paperwork. In addition, the Centers for Medical Services has asked as part of our protocol to re-open that we perform any services that we possibly can remotely. Should you need assistance completing the forms, simply text us at 805-482-8849 and our technicians will be able to assist you remotely. Forms need to be completed two days (48 hours) prior to your appointment to secure your appointment slot.
Why is Optomap necessary?
- In order, to safely evaluate your eyes a dilation or optomap is necessary. However, a dilation requires for you to remain in the office for at least 30 additional minutes. Our goal is to decrease your time in the office to reduce exposure risk. This fee will be decreased to $25 if you complete your forms 24 hours prior to your visit.
Repairs?
Need repairs?
Save yourself a trip! Text us a photo of your damaged or broken glasses and a description of what happened to 805-482-8849. We will be able to determine what parts will be necessary for the repair and schedule a time for drop off to ensure everything can be done in one visit!
