COVID-19 Resources

News and Resources for Texas Optometrists

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the Texas Optometric Association will continue to update optometrists with the latest information and guidance.

	During this time of uncertainty, it's important to stay informed and actively manage your personal lives and practices. Follow this page for optometry-specific information.  You can also CLICK HERE to be directed to AOA's webpage.
	One of our most trusted partners, Practice Compliance Solutions (PCS), has compiled a wealth of information to assist optometrists and business owners get through these tough and challenging times . CLICK HERE to access their website and COVID-19 resources.

Click on the links below and feel free to help us share this information through your social networks.

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Upcoming Webinars

• Keep an eye on your e-mail for future education opportunities
  
  • Click Here to view various Q & As from previous TOWN HALLS in the FAQ's section of the PCS website

Clinical

• Click Here - Guidance for Optometric Care
• Click Here - Journal of Medical Virology Study: Evaluation of coronavirus in tears and conjunctival secretions of patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
  • 30 patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 in China, 1 had conjunctivitis. SARS-CoV-2 was found in their ocular secretions. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the conjunctiva and cause conjunctivitis, and virus particles are present in ocular secretions. 
• Click Here - The New England Journal of Medicine: Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China
  • "Conjunctival congestion" was documented in 9 of 1,099 patients (0.8%) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 30 hospitals across China.
• Click Here - Characteristics of Ocular Findings of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hubei Province, China 

Practice Management

• Click Here - Practice Compliance Solutions: Providing advice for optometrists
  • Paycheck Protection Program
    • Starting April 3, 2020 for small businesses and sole proprietorships
    • Starting April 10, 2020 for independent contractors and self-employed individuals
    • Note: Reach out to your local bank for further information!

• Click Here - Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services: Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary (Updated 4-15-2020)

• Click Here - Texas Workforce Commission: Employer Benefits Services
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary

• Click Here - Small Business Administration: Disaster Assistance
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary

• Click Here - AOA Excel: Benefits (UPDATED)

• Click Here - U.S Department of Labor: Poster (UPDATED)

• Click Here - Sick Leave and FMLA Policies
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary

• Click Here - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary

• Click Here - Telehealth Information
  • Click Here to read PCS Summary

Student Aid

• Click Here - Federal Aid: Forbearance Information for Borrowers

Advocacy

• Click Here - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Full Text
• Click Here - Texas Governor Letter: State of Disaster

Texas Optometry Board

• Click Here - Rule Changes by The Texas Optometry Board

American Optometric Association

• Click Here - AOA: Coronavirus Main Page
• Click Here - AOA: List of Webinars
• Click Here - AOA: Coding and Reimbursement Handout

Other Resources

Products and policies referenced below are not officially endorsed by the TOA

• Click Here - Misc PPE Resources (Updated 5-7-2020)
• Click Here - Gee & Associates Masks (Updated 5-7-2020)
• Click Here - Retail One Sanitation Products (Updated 5-7-2020)
• Medical Supplies (Parking lot of Brammer's Athletic WearHouse) - 5017 E. 5th St.,Katy, TX 77449 * Phone:281-391-1441 Retail One Sanitation Products
• Click Here - CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Click Here - CDC: What's New
• Click Here - CDC: FAQ's
• Click Here - Word Health Organization: Coronavirus
• Click Here - Texas Health and Human Services: Coronavirus