Did you have an eye appointment coming up but cancelled it to avoid being in a public space? Have you assumed that your optometrist is not seeing patients during COVID-19, or no longer performing surgeries?
For the past several weeks during quarantine, many people have avoided seeing their doctor (whether they feel healthy or not) in order to stay in line with social distancing guidelines. Although limiting travel is still an important part of flattening the curve, eye care specialists have seen a surge in serious eye conditions in patients.
Some of the conditions eye doctors have diagnosed and treated more frequently include:
1. Retinal Detachment
Occurs when part of the eye (retina) pulls away from its normal position in the back of the eye. This situation is an emergency.
2. Corneal Ulcers
An open sore on the cornea that causes pain and worsening vision.
3. Iritis
An inflammation of the iris which can lead to substantial vision loss or blindness.
4. Worsening Cataracts
The clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, which can lead a patient to become legally blind.
Could I Be At Risk For Certain Eye Conditions?
Certain groups of people are automatically at a higher risk for contracting eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and refractive errors. High risk groups include:
- Individuals from Asian, African or Caribbean backgrounds
- Diabetics
- Adults 40 or older
- High blood pressure or high blood glucose levels
- Heart disease or hypertension
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
Everett & Hurite wants to remind all of our patients that your safety is our utmost concern. We encourage everyone to take initiative and contact our office for a virtual visit or in-person visit if you have a new or ongoing issue related to your eye health. This is especially applicable for those with chronic health conditions that can negatively affect eye health, particularly diabetes and high blood pressure.
Everett & Hurite remains open for in-office, telemedicine visits and surgical procedures. We are committed to providing excellent, ongoing care for our patients while taking every possible precaution in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We are here to address your concerns both in-person and digitally, whether your eye care needs or routine or ugent. Request an appointment online or call us at 412-288-0858.
