Optical industry PPE supply expands
Optical industry suppliers are continuing to add personal protective equipment (PPE) to their product ranges, as well as other items to support health and safety in practice, as the profession prepares to resume non-essential and routine eyecare.
In addition to the companies we have already featured on DO Online here, the following have recently announced new product launches to support practices…
Optometrist Amardeep Bedi has set up an online PPE supply shop, which focuses on PPE for eyecare practitioners only. “All my products have been carefully chosen for our sector,” said Amardeep.
Bondeye Optical’s new range of PPE supplies includes free-standing or wall-mounted hand sanitiser stations, face masks and wipes.
Continental Eyewear is set to launch a full range of PPE including: KN95 four-layer face masks, disposable surgical face masks, face shields, goggles, safety glasses and a range of anti-bacterial sprays, wipes and hand sanitiser foam.
James Conway, CEO of Millmead Optical Group, said: “It is essential for us to continue to support the optical industry in safeguarding their employees and customers. All our PPE is compliant with industry standards, please see our website for more details.”
Anti-fog lens relaunch
Essilor will relaunch its Optifog lens on 15 June after experiencing a high demand from practitioners who need a solution to prevent glasses misting under PPE. The company said the product is suitable for all patients “and in particular those who are now wearing PPE as part of their daily lives and who have experienced issues with their current spectacles”.
Tim Precious, managing director at Essilor, said: “Fogging reduces visibility and compromises patient care and the key worker’s personal safety. The Optifog lens will stop misting becoming a hazard in emergency situations where clear vision is crucial. In doing so, it will provide greater visibility, greater comfort and less fogging for key workers.”
Patient leaflets and window posters will be available to support the relaunch.
Eyespace’s PPE collection conforms to CE EN:166 and ANSI.Z87 standards and is supplied through ISO 9001, FDA registered and EU 2016/42 audited factories. The collection encompasses full face shields, safety glasses and protective goggles which, said the company, “all comply with the most rigorous government regulations, protecting against potential contamination by respiratory droplets/secretions, bodily fluids and harmful chemical splashes”.
Hygienic occlusion solution
Grafton Optical has launched single use Mask-it disposable eye patches in response to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. The disposable, translucent patches never touch the eye itself, which allows patients to keep both eyes open during testing, thus eliminating dark adaptation and corneal surface change.
The paper patch is applied to, and worn by, an individual for the execution of a variety of specific activities related to the need for temporary monocular occlusion. They are simply pulled from a dispenser, folded and placed around the patient’s eye.
Louis Stone Optical has a range of PPE for practitioners and students, including gloves, wipes, social distancing floor labels, coats and ultrasonic frame cleaner.
All of the following can be found on the Mid-Optic website: FFP2 face masks, type IIR face masks, three-ply disposable face masks, face shields, hand sanitising gel, anti-bacterial hand wash and infrared thermometers.
Optical companies who would like to share news of PPE and related products are welcome to email ncollinson@abdo.uk.com