Taking Care of Your Eyes During COVID-19: Tips From Optometrists

by Carly Schenck · July 15, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of our daily lives. Many are now wrestling with questions that had never crossed their minds previously. They’re wondering how to wear glasses comfortably with a mask on, or whether it’s safe to schedule routine medical appointments. Our Clinical Directors and Optometrists practicing inside our stores have heard these struggles first-hand from their own patients, which is why they’ve provided their top eye care tips to help people navigate the road ahead with confidence.

Tip #1: Don’t delay care

“If you have pain, sensitivity to light or extreme blurriness that you haven’t had before, please don’t wait and hope it gets better. Call our offices and tell them you have a new issue. We have PPE and protocols in place to serve you and help you preserve your quality of vision and comfort.” – DeAmbra Boucher, OD, Clinical Director

Tip #2: Prevent fogging glasses with a snug mask

“One way to prevent fogging of glasses while wearing a face mask is to take the ear loops of the mask and connect them together across your neck with a fastener (paperclips work well). This allows for a snug fit across the top of the nose and cheeks so that expelled air is directed down and out rather than up towards lenses. Thus, you can circumvent removing/cleaning your glasses and avoid touching your face.” – Matthew Selby, OD, FAAO

Tip #3: Avoid rubbing your eyes

“Although an innate habit, especially for those with allergies or dry eyes, avoiding rubbing your eyes can lower your risk of infection. If you feel the need to itch or rub your eyes, use a clean tissue instead of using your fingers. Wash your hands first with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and again after touching your eyes. The same should be done before and after administration of prescription medications such as glaucoma drops. Dry eyes can lead to more rubbing, so consider using lubricating drops daily. Ask your eye doctor about recommendations for ocular lubricants or prescription eye drops for allergy where indicated.” – Pritesh Patel, OD

Tip #4: Practice good contact lens hygiene

“For our contact lens wearers, the American Optometric Association and our Doctors of Optometry agree that contact lens wear is still a safe and effective option for vision correction during the pandemic. Contact lens wearers should, as always, practice good hygiene with proper hand washing when handling lenses (soap and water for at least 20 seconds) and properly disinfect and dispose of contacts according to your doctor’s instructions. If you feel sick or develop flu-like symptoms, you should discontinue your contact lens wear immediately.” – John Bankowski, OD, Clinical Director

Tip #5: Keep your glasses clean

“The best way to clean your glasses is to use a mild detergent and warm water. Remember to clean the frame and nose pads as well. Lather the lenses and frame with the detergent, then rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean microfiber lens cloth or a cotton cloth. Avoid any paper products to dry the lenses including paper towels and tissues. If you don’t have detergent available, simply rinse the lenses under water and then wipe with a clean cloth. Wiping a dry lens can increase surface scratches so try to rinse the lenses before wiping. Also, make sure the cloth is clean, as dirty cloths can increase surface scratches as well.” – Rhett Veater, OD

Tip #6: When in doubt, schedule an appointment with your optometrist

“Optometrists are trained to manage many diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system in addition to prescribing glasses and contact lenses. During this pandemic, we have treated many patients with eye conditions such as abrasions, ulcers, foreign bodies and even chemical exposure. We are helping keep patients out of hospital emergency rooms so they can minimize COVID-19 risk as much as possible, which is especially important for those in the high risk category.” – Pamela Riedy, OD, Clinical Director

While there’s still a great deal that is unknown about COVID-19, every day brings new information and new hope. Our Doctor of Optometry network is committed to continuing to provide safe, effective care amidst the pandemic.

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Carly Schenck

Communications Manager - Professional Services at National Vision

Carly Schenck is our Communications Manager focused on all things Optometrists! She is a passionate and driven marketing and communications professional with 10+ years of experience in the optical industry. Carly has been with National Vision since 2014 and is proud to be part of a company that is dedicated to making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible for all.