By Chantal Wagner

Optometrists go-to resource for vision or eye health concerns

Apr 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB -The Alberta Association of Optometrists stresses that optometrists should be the go-to resource for vision or eye health concerns.

This comes out as dental and vision services are only taking emergency appointments with COVID-19 health recommendations in place.

Medicine Hat Optometrist at 20/20 Vision Care Dr. Clark Hyde says they have the training, knowledge, and equipment to help treat, diagnose, and prescribe medications for eye-related problems.

He says by visiting your eye doctor for emergencies, this will also alleviate the stresses at E-R and walk-in clinics.

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Dr. Hyde says urgent care has also been on a case by case basis.

Adding that their office has seen lots of emergencies during this time.

“It’s interesting with the rise of do it yourself projects at home and people have more time to do that stuff we’re seeing more just little trauma injuries like foreign objects in people’s eyes, abrasions to the surfaces of the eye and stuff like that. Every day we’re seeing some sort of emergency.”

Patients are screened with COVID-19 questions before emergency appointments.

Hyde says they try to avoid personal interaction as much as possible and can often help with emergencies over the phone.

Right now he says their office is dealing with lots of rescheduling.

The Alberta Association of Optometrists says urgent care covers dry eye, eye infections, eye injuries, foreign objects in the eye, and sudden changes or loss of vision.