Domi Guidance, Amber Phase, CHEC Covid Update, IPads For Vision Impaired Children, And FODO News

4 August 2021

Hi all

We have 5 items for you today:

1. 1. Domiciliary Guidance
      FODO advise that The Domiciliary Eyecare Committee (DEC) has published updated guidance for domiciliary eye care providers and practitioners for the next phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. It updates guidance originally issued in June 2020 and takes account of latest knowledge about infectivity, the availability of PPE, vaccination and lateral flow testing.Read the DEC press release HERE.

      Read the full guidance HERE.

1. 1. College Amber Phase Guidance Updated

      The College has updated its amber phase Covid-19 guidance and Covid-19 FAQs. It has also produced a short video that addresses some common questions. The College have made changes to:

      • Appropriate use of disinfecting agents on surfaces and equipment
      • Safe and proportionate use of disposable PPE
      • Patient prioritisation management
      • Reintroduction of Alger brush and microblepharoexfoliation (BlephEx) procedures
      • Managing patients without face coverings
      • Supply of contact lenses to an expired specification.

      With thanks to FODO for the above information.

   2. Community Eyecare (CHEC) COVID-19 Update
      CHEC have issued an update regarding their patient isolation & testing procedures, HERE. including a leaflet for pxs: “Patient Isolation Information Prior to Cataract Surgery”, which can be downloaded HERE.

1. 1. iPads for children with a vision impairment from the Guide Dogs charity
      Visually impaired children between 3 and 18 may be able to get a free iPad or iPhone from the Guide Dogs charity. Further details can be found in their email below, or on their website, HERE.

1. FODO News
   Can be found HERE, including a joint statement on “Our vision for safe and sustainable patient eye care services” from the College and the RCO, and praise for trainees qualified since January 2021

Kind regards

Herts LOC