COVID-19 Updates

Planning For Your Wilmington Eye Appointment

*Per the CDC and Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 215, all patients over the age of 2 must be wearing a face covering.

The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Thank you to all of our frontline heroes who are working to keep us safe. For additional advice from the American Academy of Ophthalmology about COVID-19 and your vision, click here.

How Should I Prepare For My Wilmington Eye Appointment?

We understand that COVID-19 is an ongoing threat and want you to know that we are doing everything possible to serve your vision needs while also protecting your health and safety. To ensure that you, our team members, and all patients are safe and healthy and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:

1. All persons over the age of 2 MUST WEAR a facial covering at all times while in our facilities. If a patient fails to bring a facial covering and we are unable to provide one (due to a possible shortage in PPE gear) your appointment will be canceled.
2. We are restricting visitors when possible. With the exception of pediatric patients and those with a substantial need for support, only patients will be allowed in our facilities. Visitors will not be permitted into the facility and must wait in the car. For pediatric patients, please plan your trip with extreme caution and limit the number of children, when possible, that you bring.
3. Prior to entering any one of our facilities, all persons will be pre-screened, including taking temperatures. If you do not pass a pre-screening, your appointment will be canceled.
4. If you have a temperature over 100.4 degrees F, your appointment will be canceled.
5. If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you will not be allowed to enter our facilities.
6. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you will not be able to enter the building and your appointment will be canceled.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding, patience, and assistance during this trying time. We look forward to continuing to serve you.

What Is Wilmington Eye Doing To Keep Patients Safe?

The health and safety of our providers, team members, and all of our patients is our top priority. We are following guidelines put forth by the CDC and the American Academy of Ophthalmology to ensure we are offering safe and effective care during this time. These guidelines include:

1. Prior to entering our facilities, all employees will be screened, including taking temperatures, at the start of every shift.
2. All Wilmington Eye personnel will be wearing PPE. In addition, our staff has also been instructed to eliminate handshakes and other forms of non-essential physical contact.
3. Multiple times throughout the day, our staff will be utilizing enhanced cleaning procedures and thoroughly wiping down all high-contact surfaces, countertops, instruments, and equipment. We have also increased the frequency of deep-cleaning in our offices.
4. To ensure everyone is practicing social distancing, we have eliminated waiting room chairs and placed floor markers in high-traffic areas. When in the building, we ask that all patients follow social distancing guidelines set by the CDC.

Now That You Are Open, Will My Appointment Remain Unchanged?

Due to social distancing rules, we are limiting the number of patients that we can see on any given day. While we do not anticipate any changes to upcoming appointments at this time, we will do our best to reach out in advance should a change to your appointment be necessary. If you are unsure of the status of your upcoming appointment, please give us a call at 910.763.3601 or send us a message on Facebook.

What If I Am Not Feeling Well?

If you have a scheduled appointment but are not feeling well, it is imperative that you give us a call prior to your appointment. The safety of our staff and patients is extremely important to us and we don’t want to expose them to danger. We can work with you to reschedule your appointment at a future time when you are feeling well.

If you are experiencing any of the following, please do not come to your scheduled appointment:

• Fever
• Upper or lower respiratory issues
• Flu-like symptoms

If you have traveled in the past month, we also ask that you call us prior to your appointment. We sincerely appreciate your help in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our team members and patients safe!

For accurate, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, please reference the following sites:

World Health Organization – WHO.int

Center for Disease Control – CDC.gov

North Carolina Health and Human Services – NCDHHS.gov