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MSO Covid-19 Guidelines The facts and situation around COVID-19 continue to evolve. The Massachusetts Society of Optometrists (MSO) Executive Board is issuing the following guidance for optometrists in Massachusetts to align with Governor Baker's Declaration of a State of Emergency. The MSO strongly recommends that optometrists practicing in the Commonwealth close their offices from March 17th to April 6th to patients seeking elective and non-urgent care. As always, it is expected that optometrists will continue to be available as needed for emergency management. This is not guidance we are issuing lightly, and it is being done out of an abundance of caution during these turbulent times. As health care professionals, we all have a role to play in slowing the spread of the coronavirus and "flattening the curve" in order to follow sound scientific, public health advice, help limit infections and slow the spread of the virus. We are thinking of you, your employees and families during these difficult times. Useful links:
OSHA Guidelines: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf AOA Guidelines: https://www.aoa.org/coronavirus CDC Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html Summary of Families First Act: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/Families%20First%20Summary%20FINAL.pdf AOA recording on billing and coding for telehealth: https://www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/aoa-secures-legislative-win-provides-direction-medicare-telehealth-services |
MSO Members
COVID-19 information, updates, Unemployment Claim forms, Cobra forms and more can be found under the MSO Members page. March 18, 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE Business Continuity Insurance for optometry practices can be found under the members button above. March 17, 2020 All human resource issues pertaining to your practice and employees is privileged information for members and can be accessed through the MSO members page. There are several documents, links, and forms for your review and use. COVID-19
COVID-19 is an acronym for Corona Virus Disease 2019, the year it broke out. It presents with fever and cough, and in more severe cases difficulty breathing. Runny nose and congestion are other more minor signs, as is conjunctivitis (pink eye). Conjunctivitis is present in about 1% of the cases and is highly unlikely to be present without fever and/or cough. It appears as a pinkish tinge to the white of the eye with watery discharge. Symptoms appear 3-13 days after exposure, according to Harvard University, with a median onset of symptoms at 5 days after exposure. The virus can be contracted via the eyes, nose and mouth, via contact with droplets expelled by the infected person in a sneeze, cough, or by merely talking close to one’s face. This is why the 6 foot social distancing is critical to protecting yourself from spread. It can also be contracted by touching a surface that has droplets on it and subsequently touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is why hand washing is critical and should be done for 20 seconds making sure to get in between your fingers, as well as both sides of your hands. According to an NIH study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus can live in aerosols for 3 hours, on copper for 4 hours, on cardboard for 24 hours, and on plastic and stainless steel for up to 2-3 days. If you touch a surface with an unknown history, wash or sanitize your hands as soon as you can, certainly before touching your face. As well, if you happen to come in contact with someone’s tears outside of your family (which can have virus in them), hands should be thoroughly washed immediately. The American Optometric Association has taken the position that contact lens wear is safe during this crisis as long as proper hand washing and lens disinfecting is performed. However, the CDC recommends touching your face as little as you have to. Therefore, if you don’t have to wear your contacts, consider using your glasses. Further, glasses could potentially add a layer of protection, albeit incomplete, against airborne droplets. Most eye doctor offices are closed for non-urgent matters by order of the CDC, but many are seeing emergencies. If you have an ocular medical emergency, such as sudden loss of vision in either eye, sudden appearance of flashes of light and/or a mass of spots floating in your vision, a veil of darkness over part of your vision, a red painful and/or light sensitive eye, etc., alleviate the burden on emergency rooms and urgent care centers and call your optometrist. Many of your issues can be handled by telemedicine over the phone or by video call. For non-urgent matters regarding eyeglasses or contact lenses, try calling your eye doctor first. They may be able to help remotely with these issues. You can use this link to easily find an MSO optometrist in your area. Find A Doctor |
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Massachusetts State House
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Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University
10 Lincoln Square Worcester, MA 01608 508-890-8855 www.mcphs.edu |
Massachusetts Optometry Board Approves IPL on August 21, 2019.
Please use the link below for the full announcement.
Massachusetts Optometry Board Approves IPL On August 21, 2019
BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN OPTOMETRY POLICY
ON THE USE OF IPL DEVICES BY OPTOMETRISTS
Please use the link below for the full announcement.
Massachusetts Optometry Board Approves IPL On August 21, 2019
BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN OPTOMETRY POLICY
ON THE USE OF IPL DEVICES BY OPTOMETRISTS
MSO MISSION
To advance the quality, availability and accessibility of eye, vision and related health care. The Massachusetts Society of Optometrists (MSO) represents the profession of optometry; assists its members in practicing successfully to the highest standards of patient care; promotes and supports full scope of practice; and enhances the professional lives of its members.
To advance the quality, availability and accessibility of eye, vision and related health care. The Massachusetts Society of Optometrists (MSO) represents the profession of optometry; assists its members in practicing successfully to the highest standards of patient care; promotes and supports full scope of practice; and enhances the professional lives of its members.
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Massachusetts 2020
Annual Education Conference RESCHEDULED NEW DATE: October 3rd & 4th, 2020 
Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Ave Springfield, MA 01105 Massachusetts Board of Optometry 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710 Boston, MA 02118 617-727-5012 www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-optometry MA Board Policies/Regulations www.mass.gov/policies-regulations-and-statutes-optometry |
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2020 MSO Business Partners
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