Corona Virus (COVID-19) Updates

Dear Patient,

Protecting your health is our top priority. We understand the concerns related to COVID-19, and we are involved in an all-out effort to stop the spread of infection. To ensure a safe environment, we have taken many precautions, including the following:

• The front door is locked so that we can prevent crowding.
• The number of people in any given space is reduced to allow ample social distancing. We (and Market Optical) are following Governor Inslee’s occupancy guidelines according to the current phase of re-opening.
• Doctors, staff, and patients must wear masks. Patients who arrive without a mask will be given one – even if fully vaccinated.
• We provide sterilized pens and clip-boards for patients to do paperwork.
• All patients and guests have their temperature checked and are screened for active COVID.
• Unless there is a true need for a caregiver, accompanying guests are encouraged to wait in their car or out front in the sunshine, when possible.
• We will perform a complete sterilization of all touched surfaces in the exam room at the start of our day and between patients.
• Strict hand hygiene is practiced. For example, Dr. Mark invites all patients to wash their hands in our sink at the start of the eye exam.
• Hand sanitizer is also available in multiple locations throughout the office and the optical.
• Patients with a known COVID-19 exposure within the last 14 days (or active symptoms) will be asked to reschedule. If you are sick, please stay home.

We have a super-HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorption) filter running in the exam room that filters all the air in the exam room every 12 minutes.
It is normal to feel anxious and even overwhelmed in times like these. We encourage you to follow the advice of the researchers and physicians at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More local guidance from the Washington state department of health can be found at this link.

It is good to err on the side of caution by wearing a good quality facemask, avoiding large gatherings, not sharing drinks, etc. Yet optimizing vision and eye health is crucial for getting your work done, staying safe and for enjoying life.

Drs. Mark and Miranda Cannon are fully vaccinated. So are all of the University Village Market Optical staff. We believe that the safety of vaccines available in the US are well established by the trials and ongoing research.

If you need to cancel with less than 24-hours notice due to illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, our no-show fee will be waived.

Wishing you the best of health and safety!

Mark J Cannon, OD
Practice Manager

Miranda Cannon, OD
Practice Owner

P.S. COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone age 16 and older. You can use the Washington Department of Health’s Vaccine Finder to locate and schedule your appointment.

Cannon EyeCare reopened in June 2020. We are now seeing all exam types, not just emergencies. We are so excited to welcome you back! See our Corona Virus (COVID-19) updates below.

Thank you so much for your words of support during our closure. A lot has changed since we had to shut down in mid-March 2020. Please read on to see what to expect and what you can do to help us in our mission to keep everyone safe (and running on time).

2021 Update – Our doctors and all staff are fully vaccinated!

6/17/2020 Update: we have been open and seeing routine and medical eye visits for about 2 weeks. All patients are screened at the door for Corona Virus (COVID-19) symptoms, read on to learn more about what to expect at your visit. It turns out you can still care for your eyes during a pandemic.

Providers have learned a lot in recent months about preventing the spread of the disease in healthcare settings, says David Cohen, M.D., chief medical officer and an oncologist at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The health risks to individual patients now are likely to be quite small.”

What to expect at your visit; and what we are doing to keep you safe:

Masks will be required until further notice. Please bring your own.

Social distancing will be practiced when possible.

The front door will be locked until further notice, please knock when you arrive.

We are doing our best to limit the number of people in the building; you can help by completing and sending us your paperwork and insurance info in advance.

We have installed new protective shields and invested in an air purifier.

We are temporarily limiting guests; one parent/guardian maximum please.

Extra cleaning is done between patients.

The optical is also limiting patient flow and sterilizing all surfaces after a patient has touched them.

6/1/2020 OFFICE STATUS UPDATE

Beginning Tuesday, June 2nd, we are beginning the gradual re-openening of our University Village practice, in compliance with local government regulations and guidance. We ask that you book online to take pressure off our staff and streamline communications.

We continue to be here for our patients and our community during this difficult time and remain committed to providing top-notch eye care for those who need it in a clean and safe environment. In dealing with coronavirus, and in keeping with CDC guidelines, we have implemented additional safety protocols to keep you safe during your visit.

The following email was sent to our patients of record in need of an eye exam on Sunday 5/31/2020:

To our patient community:

We are excited to announce the start of our reopening process.  Appointments are available starting on June 2nd, 2020. We hope this message finds you well and staying healthy.

Seen here with daughters Evelyn and Cora, doctors Miranda and Mark Cannon run a true family business.  These are hard times for all, but we are finding reasons to smile.

The doctors at Cannon EyeCare have been working diligently to create protocols that will limit the risk of contagion during the coronavirus/ COVID-19  pandemic.  We have been following CDC and local guidance on social distancing by remaining closed from March 18th until the start of June 2020.

Cannon EyeCare is now booking appointments for routine exams.  We are encouraging all patients to make online appointment bookings via our scheduling software, MyTime. The next time you need an appointment with us, please visit  SeattleEyeCareDoctor.com

Our doctors and staff are working hard to reduce everyone’s risk of infection from coronavirus.  One example is increased sterilization of the equipment and any surfaces or items patients touch after each patient encounter.  We are also working with Market Optical to reduce the number of people in the building at any one time.  Our goal is to decrease the amount of time each patient spends in the office, while still providing the same excellent care we always strive to provide.  Please read on for some ways you can help our re-opening be smooth and safe for all.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR VISIT:

1. Please print the intake form (linked) and fill it out in advance.  Once completed, you can photograph and text it to us via MyTime (after you’ve booked your appointment) or email it to [email protected] You can also hand deliver it.

2. Please provide us with your insurance info at the time of booking your appointment.  You can enter your insurance company and ID number when booking your appointment online, or you can email or text (via MyTime) a copy of the front and back of your card.

3. Masks will be required for entry; please bring your own. Our doctor and staff will also wear masks.

4. When you arrive, the front door will be locked – Market Optical is limiting occupancy.  Please knock.You may be asked to wait outside until the doctor is ready for you.  As always, we will strive to be on time.

5. Everyone (patients and staff) will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and have a temperature check as they enter the building. If you have a new cough, fever, difficulty breathing, flu symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19 in the last two weeks, we will ask you to reschedule.

6. If you are sick, please stay home.

7. Patients who cancel in advance due to illness will NOT be charged the $50 no-show fee.

8. Hand sanitizer will be available for you to use in the exam room, or if you prefer you may wash your hands with soap and water.

9. We will maintain social distancing when possible.

10. Please do not bring a guest; only a parent/guardian or translator will be able to accompany patients.

You are not alone. Look out for each other and we will get through this.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Drs. Mark & Miranda Cannon

The email above was sent to patients of record who need an exam on Sunday 5/31/20
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As of Wednesday 3/18/2020 Cannon EyeCare is closing for all but urgent medical eye care per state public health guidance. Please email us if you are having urgent eye issues or go to the University of Washington medical center. NorthWest Eye Surgeons is also taking ocular emergency visits.

Down With CoronaVirus!