PALM SPRINGS, Fla.—My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, retail brands of Now Optics, announced Friday that in response to the COVID-19 crisis, they will immediately be offering only telehealth eyecare at 119 participating locations across the nation. The virtual eye exams will be performed in partnership with the Physicians Eyecare Group, which consists of independent optometry practices located within or adjacent to My Eyelab and Stanton Optical retail stores. All My Eyelab and Stanton Optical retail stores that do not offer telehealth services will be closed temporarily, Now Optics said in a statement.

“This is a unique opportunity to provide a service to people who need it when others can’t during such a crisis,” said Daniel Stanton, CEO of Now Optics, which operates over 180 corporate and franchise locations in 25 states. “This solution allows customers to receive eyecare in a safe, no-contact way, and allows us to keep jobs in our stores. Our updated policies and procedures will allow customers who have eyecare emergencies to access these services in the safest way possible.”

Extra safety measures will be taken at each store including a pre-screening questionnaire and temperature check before patients are let in for an exam, the company said. There will also be strict rules on capacity to keep employees and patients within safe social distancing proximity or a maximum of 10 people, and extra cleaning precautions.

After the pre-testing (which includes digital photos of the front of the eye, retinal images, a screening for glaucoma as well as additional testing), a technician will escort the patient to a private examination room for an acuities and refraction exam to test for the glasses or contact lens prescription. The test is performed virtually via video-screen. The local ophthalmologist or optometrist then creates the patient’s customized eyecare treatment plan and prescription. Alternative forms of dispensing will be implemented, including curbside order pick-up and order delivery options where permitted.

My Eyelab and Stanton Optical has been providing telehealth for the past three years, during which time more than 700,000 virtual eye exams have been conducted through the company’s proprietary technology and network of doctors, according to Now Optics.

“Now more than ever customers are looking for the safest way to receive services, and we are at the forefront of telemedicine as it pertains to eye health,” said Brad Brocwell, OD, vice president of clinical operations for Now Optics and co-creator of the company’s telehealth system.