CEC’s Policy on Prescriptions to Allow Patients to be Exempt from Wearing Masks

Our physicians will not write a “doctor’s excuse” to exempt any patient from not being required to wear masks in school, sports, daycare or any other activity. While we recognize there are a few medical conditions that may require an exemption from masking, every one of the doctors of CEC feel there are no eye conditions that require the absence of a mask.

And, this includes children wearing eye glasses. We are fully aware of some of the difficulties of wearing glasses and masks – CEC’s doctors perform very delicate and detailed surgery on children’s eyes while wearing glasses and surgical masks. Wearing a mask and eye glasses has never caused any issues with the 50,000 surgeries they’ve performed over the past 50 years. Therefore, they don’t feel it will cause any issues in any of their patients’ daily activities.

In July 2021, the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) issued a statement that face masks can be safely worn by all children 2 years of age and older, including the vast majority of children with underlying health conditions, with rare exception. Children 2 years of age and older have demonstrated their ability to wear a face mask. In addition to protecting the child, the use of face masks significantly reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections within schools and other community settings.

We support the CDC and AAP’s guidelines on masking. The scientific research shows that social distancing and masking reduces people’s likelihood of contracting airborne illnesses. The physicians of Children’s Eye Care remain committed to continue caring for the community we’ve serviced since 1972.

– Drs. Al-Holou, Apkarian, Baker, Bohra, Gianfermi, Ismail, Rao, Roarty and Rotberg