Liszak Pearson Optometry
236 Glenridge Ave L2T 3J8 Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

Our college has updated that we are to remain closed until further notice. I am still available over email or phone to help with urgent care cases. Please email [email protected] or leave a message at 905-684-8329 if you believe you require urgent eye care. Stay safe everyone!

At the recommendation of our regulatory body, the College of Optometrists of Ontario, our office will be providing *urgent care only* until March 29th. Routine examinations and non-urgent care will be postponed until a later date. This recommendation / date may change as the College will review and update this policy as circumstances change. Typical ocular issues that would require urgent care may include (but is not necessarily limited to): - Sudden painless / painful loss ...of vision - Persisting flashes of light / floating spots / shadows in vision - Ocular injury - Some (but not necessarily all) red / painful eyes If you believe you need to contact our office to receive urgent care, we will have a couple of methods available to try and assist you: 1) By email: [email protected] * preferred method * 2) Through our Facebook group: Liszak Pearson Optometry 3) Leave a message by phone: 905-684-8329 *Please be advised phone messages will not be checked as regularly as email or Facebook* *Please leave your name and a phone number that you can be reached regardless of what method you use to contact us* Once we receive your message we will try and arrange a time for a phone consultation with the doctor. If the doctor determines she cannot resolve an issue over the phone she will advise you on an appropriate action plan. Thank you for your patience and consideration during this difficult time.

UPDATE FROM THE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS OF ONTARIO (March 16, 2020) *Urgent Care Only Change to Optometry Practice During COVID19* We have recently received many questions about coronavirus and optometry care, particularly with respect to the provision of non-urgent care. We have been working closely with the Ontario Association of Optometrists and the Ministry of Health to determine appropriate next steps.... At this time, the College of Optometrists of Ontario is strongly recommending that all optometry offices provide urgent care only until March 29. What constitutes urgent care is up to individual practitioners to determine but would include care for patients experiencing a sudden change in vision or injury to one or both eyes. This recommendation is aimed at reducing community spread and supporting government calls for social distancing. The recommendation will be reviewed in 7-10 days, or sooner depending on other developments and/or advice from the federal government. What does this mean? Optometry offices should inform patients that they will now offer urgent care only and provide patients with a preferred means of contacting the office (e.g., by phone or email) for urgent cases. If an optometrist closes their office for any reason, including self-isolation, they must ensure patients have a means of contacting them for urgent cases. Optometry offices can provide care and advice to patients over the phone, including triaging new patients who call with concerns about changes to their vision. Optometrists who are unwell or who have recently returned from travel outside of Canada should self-isolate as per guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada and should not provide any care, including urgent care. For patients who require emergency/surgical interventions, do not send patients to your local emergency room unless absolutely necessary to prevent immediate loss of vision. Working Together Optometry offices are encouraged to work together during this challenging time. If an optometrist is unable to provide urgent care due to self-isolation or other requirements, contact local practices to discuss redirecting patients to other local care providers. Regulatory Obligations The College will send additional information over the next few days regarding any possible changes to regulatory obligations such as examinations, registration, etc. The current situation is changing rapidly. Contact the College with any questions and will aim to respond within a day.

To our patients, Patient and community safety is our top priority. Although our staff is taking extra precautions to disinfect and sanitize the office, we nonetheless wish to avoid risking the health of our most vulnerable patients with unnecessary exposure to others who may be contagious but asymptomatic. ... We ask you to take the following precautions: 1) Please do *not* come in if you are sick (mild or severe). Reschedule your appointment: - if you experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sneezing, or difficulty breathing - if you are caring for or have come into contact with someone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms 2) If you are sick and experience an ocular emergency, please call our office and we will arrange a phone consultation with the doctor. If the doctor determines she cannot resolve an issue over the phone she will advise you on an appropriate action plan. 3) Please do *not* bring extra people to your appointment (including children, spouses, and/or parents not also being examined), unless they are needed to assist you for legal, medical, or translation purposes. 4) All patients/visitors to the office will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water upon arrival. 5) Please inform staff if you have been travelling outside of Canada or been in contact with someone travelling outside of Canada within the last 14 days. You may be asked to reschedule. We plan to keep the office open for our usual business hours but are monitoring the situation daily, and office hours/procedures may change as the situation develops. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 905-684-8329. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this difficult time.

Happy Holidays from Dr. Pearson, Jenn, Trisha and Chris.