Recommend Chicago eye exam/glasses place that has COVID precautions?
July 11, 2024 12:29 PM Subscribe
I am way overdue for an updated prescription, but I'm NOT super excited about putting my face up against cushions and on surfaces where a bunch of other people just did the same. Beyond that, I don't know where to start, since it seems everything's a chain store.
Basically, can anyone recommend an optometrist/glasses place where you feel comfortable that they're taking appropriate precautions w/r/t COVID and that you've had good service from?
My preferred travel zone limits in Chicago are Edgewater to the north, Lincoln Square to the west, and Lincoln Park to the south. I used to go to Lincoln Square Optical, which was independently owned and run, but it got bought out and so did every other independent glasses place, as far as I can tell. The last time I got an eye exam/glasses was at Pearle or Searle or whatever it was at Riverpoint Plaza which I did out of necessity rather than preference, but it looks like they're not there anymore, so I don't even have that as a fall-back.
Basically, can anyone recommend an optometrist/glasses place where you feel comfortable that they're taking appropriate precautions w/r/t COVID and that you've had good service from?
My preferred travel zone limits in Chicago are Edgewater to the north, Lincoln Square to the west, and Lincoln Park to the south. I used to go to Lincoln Square Optical, which was independently owned and run, but it got bought out and so did every other independent glasses place, as far as I can tell. The last time I got an eye exam/glasses was at Pearle or Searle or whatever it was at Riverpoint Plaza which I did out of necessity rather than preference, but it looks like they're not there anymore, so I don't even have that as a fall-back.
Eye See Ravenswood would get a thumbs up for me as an optometrist/glasses place (but not for medical eye issues; I feel they really whiffed my case). The staff when I was there last, maybe 6-8 months ago, was still masking, and the office is uncrowded and well ventilated.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 1:46 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 1:46 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
Can you try to schedule the first or second appt of the day? When I have Covid concerns, that's what I do- presumably any floating aerosols, or viruses on touch surfaces, will hopefully have degraded or settled overnight.
Also, I've been to a few optometrists since Covid started, and they always clean all the face cushions and surfaces with disinfectant wipes between patients. Certainly they will have more wipes there, and if you mention your apprehensions and ask before the appointment starts, they should be fine to freshly wipe all surfaces right before you use them. You could even call and ask if they'd be able to wipe things with alcohol rather than any other substance, because it evaporates the fastest and it's very skin-safe.
It was also fine to wear a mask for the whole appointment, nobody batted an eye and most of the optometrists I've seen are still masking (not in your city unfortch), but in my observation, optometrists actually seem more cautious than a lot of other specialities I've encountered, maybe because of the close face contact.
As you know, viruses need to get into your mucous membranes to be an issue, so if the intact skin of your nose, forehead, cheeks, or hands touch a surface that does have a virus, luckily it still doesn't mean you'll get Covid. And you could plan to bring your own rubbing alcohol + tissues, or a face wash product, so you can clean your face and hands right after the appointment.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:48 PM on July 11 [3 favorites]
Also, I've been to a few optometrists since Covid started, and they always clean all the face cushions and surfaces with disinfectant wipes between patients. Certainly they will have more wipes there, and if you mention your apprehensions and ask before the appointment starts, they should be fine to freshly wipe all surfaces right before you use them. You could even call and ask if they'd be able to wipe things with alcohol rather than any other substance, because it evaporates the fastest and it's very skin-safe.
It was also fine to wear a mask for the whole appointment, nobody batted an eye and most of the optometrists I've seen are still masking (not in your city unfortch), but in my observation, optometrists actually seem more cautious than a lot of other specialities I've encountered, maybe because of the close face contact.
As you know, viruses need to get into your mucous membranes to be an issue, so if the intact skin of your nose, forehead, cheeks, or hands touch a surface that does have a virus, luckily it still doesn't mean you'll get Covid. And you could plan to bring your own rubbing alcohol + tissues, or a face wash product, so you can clean your face and hands right after the appointment.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:48 PM on July 11 [3 favorites]
The biggest precaution you can take is to wear a fitted N95 respirator; covid is airborne ie you breathe it in.
posted by lulu68 at 1:58 PM on July 11 [2 favorites]
posted by lulu68 at 1:58 PM on July 11 [2 favorites]
A fall-back Pearle Vision location: 3136 N. Lincoln Ave., M-F 10-6, Saturdays 9-4:30, 773-871-8210
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:19 PM on July 11
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:19 PM on July 11
I was at Eye Level Inc on LaSalle in late 2022 and felt safe. They're a small private practice I've been going to for a few years and I bet if you call them in advance they'll work with you to make you comfy.
posted by phunniemee at 2:23 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 2:23 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: The biggest precaution you can take is to wear a fitted N95 respirator
I wear one every time I leave my home - should have mentioned that. I don't go anywhere without wearing an N95 except my own home, and I live alone, so no one is bringing anything in except me. I often feed my neighbor's cat in the unit right above mine and I don't even go out into the hall without wearing an N95.
I'll call Eye See Ravenswood and Eye Level on LaSalle - thank you all for your suggestions and ideas.
posted by tzikeh at 7:02 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
I wear one every time I leave my home - should have mentioned that. I don't go anywhere without wearing an N95 except my own home, and I live alone, so no one is bringing anything in except me. I often feed my neighbor's cat in the unit right above mine and I don't even go out into the hall without wearing an N95.
I'll call Eye See Ravenswood and Eye Level on LaSalle - thank you all for your suggestions and ideas.
posted by tzikeh at 7:02 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
Try calling Second City Eye Care on Lincoln near Irving Park / Damen. They had protocols when I was there last in the fall.
posted by paradeofblimps at 7:46 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
posted by paradeofblimps at 7:46 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
If you don't mind going up to Evanston Grinman's are independent and very accommodating. Great doctor too.
posted by EllaEm at 8:02 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
posted by EllaEm at 8:02 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
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posted by lianove3 at 1:33 PM on July 11