Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical Ready to Deliver Safe, Routine Vision Services

  • May 12, 2020
Optician helping a patient pick out a pair of glasses frames in the optical shop while both individuals are wearing appropriate PPE
Optician Dana Chapin assists a patient with picking out a new pair of glasses frames at Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical. The Brookings vision clinic recently implemented a number of COVID-19 precautions in order to deliver, safe, routine eye care to patients. All patients will be asked to wear a cloth mask and all team members will wear surgical masks and protective eye wear when helping patients. All visits will be by appointment; patients may schedule an appointment by calling (605) 696-8870.

Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical recently instituted a number of changes in order to deliver safe, routine eye care to patients, including eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses.

“Many patients recently chose to delay their eye care needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Optometrist Dr. Taylor Kneip. “However, we can only put other healthcare needs on hold for so long. COVID-19 will be an ongoing health concern, much like influenza or other diseases. Accordingly, as a team of vision care professionals, we’ve implemented several precautions to ensure patient safety and protection while receiving care.”

Safety protocols Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical has put in place include, but are not limited to:

  • All visits are by appointment only. The clinic has added extra time between appointments in order to properly disinfect exam rooms.
  • All patients and team members will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Any patient with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be asked to reschedule; team members will be sent home.
  • All patients will be asked to wear a cloth mask. Patients may bring their own mask or may opt to wear one supplied by the eye clinic.
  • All eye clinic and optical team members will wear surgical masks and protective eye wear, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), at all times when caring for or assisting patients.
  • Only patients will be allowed to enter the facility. A support person will be allowed for children under the age of 18, patients in need of a caregiver and others on a limited basis. In cases where a patient requires a driver, the driver is asked to stay in the vehicle for safety.
  • Six-foot social distances will be maintained in the waiting room.
  • All commonly touched surfaces will be regularly disinfected throughout the day.
  • Patients may opt to have prescription glasses and contact lenses shipped to them.

Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical will continue to offer its full line of ophthalmology, optometry and optical services, including cataract and oculoplastic surgery; neuro-ophthalmology; treatment for medical eye problems like glaucoma, diabetes and macular degeneration; dry eye, red eye and eye allergy management; and a complete line of frames, lenses and contacts. Patients may schedule an appointment by calling (605) 696-8870.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.