- Home
- Contact Us
- Information
- About Us
- Contact Lenses
- Eye Examinations
- Spectacle Frames
- Spectacle Lenses
- Sunglasses
- Corporate Eyecare
- Further Information
- The Blue Light Hazard
- Eye Problems
- Myths
- Adapting
- Children’s Eyecare
- Colour Vision
- Choosing new Spectacles
- Spectacle Lenses
- Display Screens
- Driving Sight Tests
- Night Driving
- Refractive Errors
- News
Category Archive for: ‘Emergency Information’
Essential Business? Not now..
So the government has closed all non essential businesses for a while….
It is hard to consider Optometrists as much more than retail establishments in a dire situation such as the one we are living. Eye exams are important, but often could wait a week or a month or two?
Once or twice a week though we get someone calling in, with complaints of recent onset flashes or floaters, or other possibly sight threatening symptoms.
We always try to see these people as soon as possible, often lunch is taken up by seeing these folks, who almost always require a dilated exam.
Until last night’s new directives, we had planned to open on a limited basis from Monday, but Optometrists are now not classed as essential services, so we must remain closed for at least the next fortnight.
If you have an eye emergency, the Association of Optometrists have advised their members that we should not see you- any people with clinical problems should go to their local eye department.
If you have an issue with your glasses, I will do my best to help out. Call Ian on 083 808 0371, but remember that I have poor coverage where I live and the phone may not ring. If you leave me a message, I can call back and try to get something sorted out.
Stay safe!
Ian
Private Callers
We will be kind of back to work on Monday, but with a much reduced service – it is really going to be emergencies only, unfortunately.
What is an emergency will be explained soon, but for the moment, we are not open.
I left my mobile number on the notices at the practice and also on the website, but I just missed a call from a PRIVATE CALLER. I was outside pressure washing paths, sorry.
But, if you call from a Private Number and do not leave a message, there is not a lot I can do to help you. I don’t even know if that was a business or private call, but unless they call back…..
I you need assistance, please either call from a number which can have a call returned, or leave a message?
Temporary Practice Closure
After careful consideration over the last few days, I have decided that the practice should close until March 29th.
There is little point in trying to split routine eye testing into 15 minute blocks, unless you are an “Optical Chain”, where it can all be done in less than 15!
I cannot (could but, will not) do testing that quickly – I tested my daughter last night in 12 minutes, but there were no issues except for blurry vision, and I didn’t need to be nice to her….
The diary in the next couple of weeks is busy, though how many people will arrive is a different matter….
Eye examinations are important – everyone should have one regularly, but they are not often time critical – a week or two here or there likely will not matter?
So, without consulting staff, I have decided that we should not open until March 29th. I feel that Neasa and Sandra will not be unhappy with this decision, but as I say, I have not asked them, yet.
So…… If you have an emergency (a vision/ eyesight emergency) please call Ian on 0838080371. Given my poor mobile coverage at home, and slightly better, but at this time “spotty” internet connection – it drops every few minutes (thanks Three), better to try me on WhatsApp? I am personally not a regular Facebooker, but if you try to contact us that way, I reckon Neasa or Sandra will alert me.
If you have a “spectacles emergency” such as a lens falling out or you sat on them (they seemed to become “somehow” strained), all of a sudden!!
Yeah, give me a call, and I will do what I can, but in the circumstances, try a pin, or a piece of thread – try to fix them yourself?
Obviously this is a very poor business decision – it would be much better to attempt to remain open – businesses which are closed only lose money after all! But in the “Grand scheme” of things, I think that this may be better for the population as a whole?
Tough (and scary) times!
Ian
Christmas Opening Hours.
Christmas Time, again.
WooHoo!
As usual we are going to be closed between Christmas and New Year, our excuse being that we can get no deliveries until the New Year. Though that is actually true!
This is the only time I am personally guaranteed to get some time off, and that time at home is very precious, particularly this year.
We will be having a staff Christmas meal on Friday 21st in the afternoon, so we will be closing at 1pm, or perhaps shortly after? on that Friday, and we will be gone until January 3rd.
(Scottish people are genetically unable to work on January 2nd).
We may see you in the Bailie Hotel on Friday afternoon, but after that we will see you in 2019.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays to be more politically correct?
Ho Ho Ho!
Happy Holidays from Ian, Neasa , Sandra and Victoria.
(once again, in alphabetical order!)
Many thanks to all of our clients – no business is anything without you, after all!
We wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas, and onwards to year 2019 and beyond!
Ian.
Please, please remember to NOT sleep in your contact lenses- it may have been a great night out, but your next day or two in hospital may not be so great? It is not worth it – for more information in case of an emergency, please click this link.
In case of Emergency…
Eye and Sight threatening conditions can occur at any time, but fortunately most eye problems are not urgent in nature.
Optometrists in Ireland usually do not offer an out of hours service, because eye problems are rarely all that sudden in onset. However, at any time, but particularly over the Christmas Holidays, we will see people at irregular hours – I am aware that some issues cannot wait for our extended closing times over the Christmas holiday season.
If you have broken your spectacles, wear your spare pair. Don’t have spares? Doh!
If you have a seriously painful eye, and are a contact lens client of ours, please contact Ian on this numberIan’s mobile O83 8O8 O371 – there is no guarantee that my phone will be in coverage, but if you leave your name, number and a message I will get back to you, though if you are in significant pain, and have a red eye with a pus like discharge, I would suggest that you consider going straight to the Eye and Ear Hospital, or the Mater Casualty Department in Dublin- we would probably advise that you go there when we see you anyway! We are not legally allowed to prescribe drops to treat eye infections.
This advice would also be relevant to people with sudden loss of vision, extreme eye pain or (again) extreme light sensitivity – I will happily see you, but most of those issues will probably require (possibly) urgent onward referral to the hospitals.
Have a great holiday season, but please, remember to stay safe with your contact lenses!
Please remember,
- DO NOT SLEEP IN YOUR CONTACT LENSES (Unless we advised you that it is safe to do so, which is very very rare).
- Wash you hands before applying and removing lenses.
- Clean the lenses properly if they are not daily disposables, and always use fresh solution every night.
Have a look at our Contact Lens Dos and Don’ts here.
