VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus. GlobeChek, a mobile kiosk that performs 11 eye tests in under 10 minutes, was designed to bring the exam to the patient instead of requiring the patient to come to the doctor. To help patients who can’t visit their eye doctor due to COVID-19 restrictions, GlobeChek’s inventors, William Mallon, MD, and Adam Katz, MD, have developed ways to provide them with eyecare while meeting the requirements of social distancing and minimizing contact with others.

“Fortunately, the Globe requires only one technician to run a patient through the battery of tests,” Dr. Katz told VMAIL. “The technician uses PPE, and all patients are required to wear a mask for further safety. A barrier is placed between the patient and the technician to further reduce any chances of transmission. By limiting a patient’s contact to only one individual, as opposed to many during the typical doctor’s appointment, the risk of exposure is greatly diminished.”

To take it a step further, Mallon’s and Katz’s company, GlobeChek Enterprises, which is also the name of Mallon’s and Katz’s company, is deploying a mobile solution that uses a trailer as a mobile office, so that patients don’t even need to enter a doctor’s building.

“We feel very fortunate that we are in a position to offer a safer alternative for delivering comprehensive eyecare to our patients without having to sacrifice on quality,” said Dr. Katz.

Dr. Katz said that there is currently one mobile office that is being used by the Community Health Center in Vero Beach, Florida, to reach underserved populations. Additional mobile offices are on order and should be arriving next week which will be provided to physicians in other states.

Click here or scroll below to watch a GlobeChek video.

Sunglass maker Maui Jim has partnered with ID.me to introduce the “Mahalo to Heroes” program, giving thanks to medical professionals and first responders. Through this program, Maui Jim honors the everyday heroes who have made an invaluable impact in their local communities not only in the midst of COVID-19, but every day of the year.

“On behalf of the Maui Jim team, we want to honor these frontline heroes, who are helping others each and every day and who deserve to be recognized for their selflessness and hard work,” said Jay Black, chief sales and marketing officer for Maui Jim. “We have launched ‘Mahalo to Heroes’ to express our gratitude, hoping this special program spreads some positivity and the Aloha Spirit to these important members of our community.”

Maui Jim’s “Mahalo to Heroes” program benefits verified police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hospital employees and nurses and doctors of all types. These heroes can access the program via the Maui Jim page. Participants can sign into their ID.me account or create a new account to get exclusive access. They will then receive a code to redeem toward a purchase of Maui Jim sunglasses.

Now that more people are using UVC light sources to disinfect objects and surfaces, Transitions Optical has been receiving inquiries about whether its UV lamps can be used for that purpose. To clarify the situation, Transition has issued the following statement:

“UV lamps currently used for Transitions lenses activation are an effective alternative to an outdoor demonstration in natural sunlight. Transitions lenses darken when exposed to UVA and UVB rays, to help protect the eyes from UVA and UVB rays.

• These UV lamps do emit UVA light, HEV (high energy visible) light and visible light.

• They do not emit UVB or UVC light.

• These UV lamps are not intended for eliminating microbial agents, as they do not utilize the UVC light needed for sanitizing microbials.

“Transitions Optical’s UV lamps are used to activate photochromic lenses and are not medical devices used to eliminate viruses. All inquiries regarding COVID-19 should be directed to experts in the field. These organizations include the CDC and WHO.

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