Ophthalmic equipment manufacturer Zeiss has launched a campaign to supply free slit lamp breath shields to Australian eyecare professionals, including practitioners who don’t use its devices.
During the past fortnight, the company’s Australian business has sent almost 200 breath shields to all existing Zeiss slit lamp and laser slit lamp owners, which started arriving in clinics this week.
At the same time, Zeiss launched a global initiative to provide free slit lamp breath shields to any eyecare professionals that request them, including non-Zeiss slit lamp users. The offer covers professionals in the European Union, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia.
Mr Matthew Wensor, the strategic marketing manager within Zeiss’ Australian medical technology business group, told Insight the global program became locally available just prior to Easter. So far, approximately 100 orders had been received, in addition to the shields already sent to existing Zeiss slit lamp owners.
“We expect this number to grow as awareness of the program increases,” he said.
The free breath shields are a donation by Zeiss and are only available to healthcare practices with slit lamps currently in use. They are designed to ensure ease of installation and fit a variety of makes and models. For the user, they also allow easy access to the device controls and the patient.
Due to limited supply, Zeiss will provide two shields and one shipment per practice. High demand and the current international logistics situation could also cause a delay in shipment arrivals.
“Shipments may take up to two weeks or more depending upon your location,” the company stated. “We cannot guarantee the breath shields fit every slit lamp make and model.”
Zeiss noted the breath shield is neither an approved medical device, nor guaranteed to block transmission of viral pathogens, to reduce risk of disease infection, or to prevent disease.
Visit this website to register.
