Supporting local

We are happily moving closer to Level 1, and beyond. It will be a relief for us at McDonald Adams to be able to get back to the full scope of our work, including seeing people for consultations again.

Overshadowing the successful outcome, of averting a full scale pandemic emergency in New Zealand which would have swamped our health system, are the economic forecasts. These are not uplifting. Many lives have already been impacted, in our local and national community.

We have been encouraged by messages of support like this one: “Many thanks for all your help over the last few years. Hope your business is not hurting too badly with the challenges that covid has raised and that you, your loved ones and wonderful staff are staying healthy.”

Image taken by Andrew Tunnicliffe

The situation definitely gives pause for reflection on what being a local business means to us. Such a large part of the pleasure and satisfaction we experience through our work as Optometrists comes from helping our community. Over the years (21 and counting) we have developed wonderful relationships as you trusted us with your eyes and vision. We have enjoyed continually developing our skills and growing our practice to fit the needs of our local area. Our scope of practice has extended to glaucoma management, an ever growing behavioural optometry practice for Sally, and recently we have helped foster a low vision support group.

Alongside this our team has developed and it has been wonderful to offer young people a start in a career in optics, and also gather experienced staff who chose to move to our area.

We will be seeking opportunities to support other local businesses and we hope you will too. Our sense of connection, which has strengthened through the COVID-19 alert lockdown, will see us all work together, and we look forward to this next chapter.

Nga mihi,

Claire

COVID-19 Keeping Safe at Alert Level 2

Emerging from Alert Level 3 we want to reassure you we are here to provide eye care for our community. We are committed to operating in a safe manner to reduce risks for you and our team. This means you will notice we are doing things differently. Please read the following information about operations under Alert Level 2.

• We are screening everyone at the time of booking and deferring appointments for anyone who is unwell.

• Outside the door we have posters reminding people not to enter if they are unwell or have signs or symptoms suspicious for COVID-19

• We will allow a limited number of people into our practice at any one time - this is to allow for physical distancing.

• We will have a contact register for everyone entering our practice.

• Hand sanitiser available for use throughout the practice.

• Our waiting space is clean with social distancing observed.

• We are cleaning and disinfecting equipment, including our eftpos machine, between each use, and all surfaces.

• Good hygiene is part of our every day focus; our team understands the importance of hand hygiene, staying home if sick, covering coughs and sneezes and social distancing - not touching or shaking hands with anyone.

• We will ask you to give us some more details ahead of your appointment, describe any concerns you have with your eyes or vision etc, this will reduce the time spent in the consulting room.

• In our consulting rooms, breath screens have been fitted to our microsopes so we can check your eyes safely.

• At your appointment, when possible, we will operate from a wider distance.

We are working closely with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, and taking advice from the Ministry of Health.
 
Anyone who has any concerns can phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 or talk to us via email or phone.

Tele-Consultations - Book Online

Among many of the outcomes of Alert Level 4 is tele-consultations.

Naturally we cannot measure your vision or use the microscope over the phone! But our experience in these weeks of lock down has shown us how we can use our expertise to provide a valuable service. This has applied to people we know already, who are part of our McDonald Adams community, and also newcomers. Vision is very precious, and a consultation can be very reassuring.

In some cases we may need you to come in for a face to face consultation - which we can do safely under Alert Level 3. Alternatively we may plan a review in Level 2.

We are helped by the ease of digital photography when you need to show us your eyes.

If you have any concerns about your eyes or vision please don't hesitate to contact us; email admin@mcdonaldadams.co.nz  or phone 09 425 9646 or book online.

COVID-19 Keeping Safe @ Alert Level 3

Emerging from Alert Level 4 we want to reassure you we are here to provide eye care for our community. We are committed to operating in a safe manner to reduce risks for you and our team. This means you will notice we are doing things differently.

Unfortunately until we go to Alert Level 2 we remain unable to do our regular face to face consultations. But we are able to help essential workers however we can. And we can help anyone who need replacement glasses in order to be able to function and live normally. Please read the following information about operations under Alert Level 3.

• We are screening everyone at the time of booking and deferring appointments for 14 days for anyone who is unwell.

• Outside the door we have posters reminding people not to enter if they are unwell or have signs or symptoms suspicious for COVID-19

• We will allow a limited number of people into our practice at any one time - this is to allow for physical distancing.

• We will have a contact register for everyone entering our practice.

• Hand sanitiser available for use throughout the practice.

• Our waiting space is clean with social distancing observed.

• We are cleaning and disinfecting equipment, including our eftpos machine, between each use, and cleaning all surfaces regularly.

• Good hygiene is part of our every day focus; our team understands the importance of hand hygiene, staying home if sick, covering coughs and sneezes and social distancing - not touching or shaking hands with anyone.

• Our team have appropriate PPE, including masks and face shields.

We are working closely with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, and taking advice from the Ministry of Health.
 
Anyone who has any concerns can phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 or talk to us via email or phone.

Tele-consultations

Under Alert Level 3 we are not yet able to have face to face consultations, but we are available for tele-consultations. 

Claire McDonald Tele-consulting

Naturally we cannot measure your vision or use the microscope over the phone! But our experience in these weeks of lock down has shown us how we can use our expertise to provide a valuable service. This has applied to people we know already, who are part of our McDonald Adams community, and also newcomers. Vision is very precious, and a consultation can be very reassuring. Tele-consultations led to an Eye Clinic referral on one occasion. In some cases we have planned reviews once we are able to do face to face consultations again - in Level 2. We are helped by the ease of digital photography when you need to show us your eyes.

If you have any concerns about your eyes or vision please don't hesitate to contact us; email admin@mcdonaldadams.co.nz  or phone 09 425 9646

COVID-19 and it's impact on myopia - what parents can do

The COVID-19 Level 4 Alert has us all in lockdown. This has forced children to "shelter in their homes".  And what do most children do when at home?  They play video games, and look at digital screens for hours and hours.  Lack of outdoor time and extensive near work are both serious risk factors for increasing myopia (shortsightedness) in children. We now know that myopia increases the risk of permanent sight-threatening disease later in life.
     
Will we see a large increase in children developing short-sightedness in the next year?  Will myopic children find that their prescription increases in strength at a faster rate in the coming year due to the COVID-19 lifestyle restrictions.  It is very possible.
 
So what can a parent do to lessen these serious challenges posed by the lockdown?
 
1.  Help your child go outdoors for 1 hour every day, take a walk to the park
2.  Invent interesting outdoor activities and participate with your children, see the links below for ideas.
3.  Get them to read or work on their devices outdoors. High light levels are thought to be a key protective factor of outdoor time in regards to myopia. Even under shade, umbrella, or with a hat and sunglasses, the light levels typically reaching a child’s eye will exceed that of indoors.  If they can’t get outdoors for this, then locate near natural lighting, for example, by a large window
4. Check they take a 10-minute break for every 30 minutes of screen time.
5  Be a model for your children by having healthy screen habits yourself.

Supporting Kids During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Child Mind Institute

250+ Creative Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During the COVID-19 Crisis
 
Good luck and stay safe (and sane).  Our practice is closed at the moment.  If you are concerned about your child’s eyesight or want to learn more about how we can limit myopia progression as they get older, feel free to get in touch with us via phone or email.