During a webinar at the beginning of May, while the UK’s optical practices remained closed for all services not deemed essential, European practitioners from Sweden and Norway provided updates on how they had handled dispensing. Erik Robertstad, a Norwegian optometrist, discussed what at that time felt like a far-away concern for many UK practitioners: ‘Lots of things have changed in my practice. For example, whenever customers try on frames now we disinfect the frames afterwards, or keep them in a box for 72 hours.’
Now that the UK’s lockdown has been eased and practices have been allowed to resume private eye examinations, concerns around cleaning and disinfection have become of paramount importance.
As patients return to optical practices, albeit in restricted numbers, they will expect to encounter new, visible procedures for cleaning and disinfection. Especially when trying on frames, many people who visit your practice will feel cautious about touching something that others may have touched and will be reluctant to put display frames so close to their faces. Patients feeling uncomfortable about trying on frames could lead them to not purchase eyewear, causing problems for their vision and your bottom line.
Many practices cannot afford customers to feel trepidation over frame purchases due to the financial damage done by the coronavirus pandemic. Alongside the legitimate concerns of spreading the disease, this makes clear how vital cleaning and disinfection procedures are to the dispensing process.
Association advice
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians’ (ABDO) head of policy and public affairs, Debbie McGill, spoke to Optician about how practices should handle this new environment. Asked whether new cleaning and hygiene processes should be communicated to patients before the dispense, she said: ‘Yes. Patients should be advised to pick a selection of frames to try on. Frames should then be cleaned adhering to manufacturers’ guidance before and after the dispensing appointment.’
Debbie McGill
Equipment manufacturers have been keen to promote the use of frame cleaning methods, such as sonic bath or ultra-violet (UVC) machines. These machines are clear demonstrations of commitment to disinfection, but may be prohibitively expensive for some practices. Thankfully, expensive equipment is not deemed essential by ABDO. McGill said: ‘If practices want to purchase cleaning equipment there are various UVC machines available, although other options include soap and water or non-alcoholic antibacterial wipes. ABDO would recommend that practices clean frames as has always been done and seek advice from manufacturers regarding the use of soap and water, and non-alcoholic bacterial wipes.’
McGill added that while UVC machines are very likely to be effective, a lack of uniform performance standards and testing requires a degree of caution when selecting equipment.
Good guidelines
Guidance from various frame manufacturers has been collated on ABDO’s website, which McGill recommends that DOs refer to when considering how to clean different frames. However, unless frames contain special, sensitive materials like wood or horn many of the same rules will apply across the board.
On its website, Charmant explains: ‘The best way to carefully clean glasses while protecting the material is to use a mild detergent. Rinse your glasses thoroughly under running, lukewarm water and then soap the entire frame with the detergent. The fat dissolving substances in the agent remove both dirt and viruses, rendering them harmless.’
Guidelines from the Association of the Optical Industry and Manufacturers in France (GIFO) states that the novel coronavirus ‘can be removed from all optical frames or sunglasses by washing with liquid hand soap’. The procedure that GIFO details is much the same as Charmant’s, adding that the time required to wash a frame is 30 seconds and to be careful not to use too much soap, as it will reduce its viricidal properties.
New dispensing procedures around cleaning and disinfection present opportunities for DOs; with practices currently limited to fewer patients and those patients requiring more attention, DOs can demonstrate their skills. McGill said: ‘Some people don’t know the difference between the members of staff they engage with in optical practices and therefore this new way of working may increase people’s knowledge of the skillset of a DO. DOs are experts when it comes to spectacles and lenses, so this new environment is an opportunity to demonstrate that expertise to the public.’