Do’s:

While at your eye doctor’s office-

• Do ask your eye care professional if there has been a recent outbreak of viral conjucntivitis or epidemic keratoconjuctivitis
• Do request your doctor and staff always wear gloves when directly touching your face or eyes (for your protection as well as theirs)
• Do politely insist on a witnessed wipe down of the slit lamp and all examining equipment with a proper antiviral disinfectant with hypochlorite (bleach) solution before you sit down (Sani or Cavi-wipes)
• Do tell your doctor if you or your family recently have had EKC
• Do require only disposable single eye drops
• Do glaucoma checks only with disposable, single-use patient tips
• Do opt to use your hand to cover your eye instead of Doctor’s occluder for the vision test
• Do defer and reschedule your eye appointment if your Doctor do not have the proper equipment
• Do inquire in advance of your appointment if the office has been treating patients with severe viral conjunctivitis /EKC and cancel your appointment if their answer is yes
• Do verify if your doctor uses a separate and dedicated exam room for infected eye patients called a “pink room”
• Do notify your eye doctor’s office, and immediately report the incident to the local health department if you suddenly develop EKC about 3-14 days following any eye doctor appointment

While at home-

• Do carry your own antiviral sanitizing wipes with you
• Do wash your hands thoroughly after opening doors and touching public surfaces
• Do keep items that come into contact with your eyes, like glasses or makeup, clean
• Do avoid contact with anyone who has EKC
• Do report to your local and state public health authorities if there has been a recent EKC outbreak at an eye healthcare practice
• Do remember that alcohol wipes do not kill off most viruses like EKC and that a proper disinfectant cleaning must use a hypochlorite solution (Clorox bleach like solution)