Page 126 - July-August 2020

situation, but can be worn for NEW PATIENT HANDLING photograph of the eye with lens on
obvious advantages of disposability. by way of instructional video.
Patients wishing to start
CONTACT LENS CARE AND wearing lenses as an alternative With the information that we
MAINTENANCE mode of vision correction can have as of today, and following
be considered after following all the recommended guidelines,
Hand wash should be done with the general clinic guidelines and contact lenses, which are one of
soap and water for a minimum patients’ examination guidelines. the preferred modes of vision
of 20 seconds even after using a Updated refraction, keratometry, correction, can be safely worn
hand sanitizer preferably using and slit‑lamp examination should by patients and clinics too can
a less perfumed soap. Rub and be done following all safety proactively prescribe lenses without
rinse method has been proved instructions. Use only sealed and much fear of Corona infection.
to be the best for cleaning the sanitized blisters for trials every
lenses irrespective of the brand of time and discard used lenses. PAEDIATRIC OPTOMETRY AND
multipurpose solution. BINOCULAR VISION/VISION
Specialty products like RGP, THERAPY GUIDELINES
CL stock packs and blisters scleral, Ortho K lenses trial sets
that are open should be sanitized should be disinfected using 3% Apart from adhering to the
including the portion under the hydrogen peroxide solution. standard operating procedures
tab that is held to open the blister. However, due to the nonavailability for physical distancing, hand
It is best to keep the cleaned of said solution in the Indian hygiene, administration of the
stocks in sterile place so repeated market, cleaning with a regular GP COVID‑19 symptoms checklist
disinfection is not required. At solution can be done and the lenses and disclaimer, use of personal
protective equipment including
home, a solution bottle should be can be stored dry for a week before compulsory masks for the children
handled only by the patient to avoid trying on the next patient. Schedule and attendant is to be ensured. Only
cross contamination. In the clinic, patients one week apart for trying one attendant is recommended
the solution bottle should be wiped the same lens. per patient and it is advised not to
clean with a sanitizer when handled If there is access to 3% hydrogen bring siblings or grandparents who
by any patient, without touching peroxide without a built‑in belong to the vulnerable category
the tip of the bottle. The bottle neutralizer, soak the lenses in 3% as attendants. Similarly, children
should be capped after usage. The H2O2 for 3 h at least, then rinse with special needs and physical
workspace should be wiped clean using MPS solution thoroughly disability are to be considered
with a sanitizer and lint free tissues. and pat dry with a lint free tissue under the vulnerable category and
Solution should be discarded every and store the lenses dry. Using appointments are to be given only
morning and fresh solution to be the above methods, a safe trial of on triaging basis. If an assessment
used every night. specialty products can be done. is required for children with special

CL case most often is the EXISTING PATIENT needs, disinfection protocol to
weakest link when it comes to FOLLOW‑UP AND ADVICE be ensured for wheelchairs, and
any specific accessories that
safety chain of contact lenses. It Keeping the existing CL accompany the child. Optometrists
is best to replace the lens case patients updated about CL care have to ensure the disinfection
every month. It should be cleaned and maintenance steps being the of trial frame, lenses used during
periodically with any soft CL same in these times as before refraction, spectacles, polarizing
multipurpose solution, wiped dry will reinforce the patients’ faith glasses, stereopsis test places, red
with lint free napkin and air‑dried in contact lenses. A soft copy of green filters, toys, fixation targets
facing down on a lint free tissue. the instructions can be forwarded and cover paddles after every
All CL accessories (suction holder, to these patients. Follow‑up examination. It is also important
plunger, etc.) need to be cleaned examinations should be done only to keep the examination rooms
with soap and water and replaced if they are an absolute must. Tele open and when a child is found
periodically and if possible, their use consulting may be tried and the to have flu or related symptoms,
may be avoided. patients can be taught to take the examination needs to be deferred

| JULY-AUG 2020 | 122 OCI GUIDELINES