The last few months have been marked by a series of events unprecedented in recent history. New terms like ‘coronavirus pandemic’, ‘lockdown’ and ‘R number’ – to name just a few – quickly found their way into our everyday vocabulary, illustrating the multitude of changes to our everyday lives. The pandemic also had a serious impact on the world of ophthalmology – with worried patients cancelling their appointments, waiting rooms sitting almost empty, and the threat of infection forcing practices to expand their hygiene measures. With only a limited supply to meet the huge and sudden increase in demand, practices found it almost impossible to source the protective masks and antiviral hand disinfectants they so desperately required.

As an ophthalmological company, we quickly devised a plan of action – together with the ophthalmological associations – to provide vital support to our partners on the front line. In our European branches, the company also worked unbureaucratically with national ophthalmological organisations – the BVA in Germany, the ÖOG in Austria, the SOG in Switzerland, and the SOI in Italy. OmniVision^® provided its members with 90,000 high-quality KN 95/FFP 2 protective face masks, free of charge. To round off the campaign, the motto of which was “Your health is our priority”, we also shipped disinfectants to all ophthalmologists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In the meantime, we are pleased to report that the supply of PPE and disinfectant has largely recovered.

As we all get used to life in ‘a new kind of normal’, OmniVision^® would like to wish you the very best of health and happiness.