Do’s & Dont’s

Do’s:

While at you eye doctor’s office-

• Do ask your eye care professional if there has been a recent breakout of EKC
• Do request your doctor and staff always wear gloves when directly touching your face or eyes (for your protection as well as theirs). Notify the office staff if you are latex sensitive.
• Do politely insist on a witnessed wipe down of the slit lamp and all examining equipment with a proper antiviral disinfectant solution before you sit down (Sani-wipes, Cavi-wipes, or bleach based cleaner)
• Do tell your doctor if you or your family recently have had EKC
• Do inquire if disposable single use droppers are available
• Do request single-use patient tips for checking pressure. If not available ensure that the office submerges tips in a bleach or opticide type solution (alcohol wipes are not sufficient)
• Do opt to use a tissue to gently cover your eye instead of Doctor’s occluder for the vision test
• Do defer and reschedule your eye appointment if your Doctor does not have the proper equipment and/or disinfection techniques as described above
• 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  and if your eye problem is not urgent
• 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 active EKC
• Do avoid direct contact with anyone exposed to EKC at their eye doctor office within 7-14 days
• 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) or opticide

Don’ts:

While at the eye doctor’s office-

• Don’t permit use of eye examination equipment unless sanitized in front of you
• Don’t of assume that the eye care professionals have properly cleaned their equipment before you came in the room
• Don’t agree to use the doctor’s multi-patient use glaucoma check device (tonometer)
• Don’t permit use stock bottle or multi-dose office eye droppers
• Don’t use the black hand held occluder device for your vision test without medical disinfection of the device
• Don’t hesitate to reschedule your appointment if the medical providers are unable to use disposable products and gloves
• Don’t reply on 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes for proper antiviral disinfection

While at home

• Don’t touch your eye after coming in contact with an individual with EKC
• Don’t touch your eye if infected with EKC, when at all possible
• Don’t share eye drops
• Don’t let your child go to school if infected with EKC
• Don’t scratch your eyes with your fingers
• Don’t share objects that have some in contact with your eye
• Don’t shake a lot of hands