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At Great Lakes Eye Care our mission is to preserve and restore eye care in our community and around the world.

With four convenient office location we offer patients the highest quality medical treatments within an atmosphere of personalized care.d restore eye care in our community and around the world.

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At Great Lakes Eye Care our mission is to preserve and restore eye care in our community and around the world. Schedule an appointment today!

Your Vision is Our Top Concern
Your Vision is Our Top Concern

With over 30 years of experience in eyecare and surgery of the eye, we know how important your eyesight is and commit to improving and preserving vision as our top concern.

Great Lakes Optical
Clarity For Your Work Is Key!

Great Lakes Optical will help you find the best glasses to meet your specific tasks. Come in to meet our certified opticians today.

Mission Statement
Caring Globally

Our mission: Preserving and restoring eye care in our community & around the world.

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COVID-19 FAQS

  • Is Great Lakes Eye Care Open? +

    At this time, all of our offices are currently open to serve our communities. 
  • Am I safe to come and be seen? +

    Great Lakes Eye Care continues to practice common sense prevention strategies for COVID-19, including santizing rooms and enforcing mask usage during elevated community transmission levels. We make every effort to protect both patients and staff during this time. 
  • Do I need to wear a mask? +

    Our greatest priority is keeping our patients and staff safe. In accordanace with MIOSHA guidelines, mask wearing will be considered optional at Great Lakes Eye Care during low community transmission rates. Per CDC guidelines, mask usage is still reccomended for patients with respiratory conditions. If community transmission rates for COVID-19 increase to "Moderate+", mask wearing will be required by all individiduals. Great Lakes Eye Care reserves the right to enfore COVID-19 prevention strategies and will continue to monitor transmission rates in the surrounding counties. Masking is still required for all patients and visitors at Great Lakes Surgery Center.  Read More
  • Is our Optical Shop open? +

    Our Optical Shop is open on Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
  • What do we know about COVID-19 and why are we taking action? +

    ●This virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. It can also remain on surfaces and be transmitted from hand to mucus membrane (nose, mouth, or eyes). ● Most patients have flu-like symptoms. There is some disease spread by people with minimal to no symptoms. Patients with more symptoms are likely more contagious. ● 80% of our patients are at increased risk of death (over 60 years of age) from COVID-19. ● We can slow the process with social distancing, thereby reducing the chance our hospital system becomes overwhelmed by doing our part to "flatten the curve.” ● Our services are vital for preserving vision.    
  • Are contact lenses safe to use during this time? +

    Contact lens wear continues to be a safe mode of vision correction.   Proper hand washing is always essential when inserting and removing contact lenses but especially at this time. Washing the hands and tips of fingers with soap and water for 20 seconds as well as drying with a non used paper towel is recommended. Adherence to the disinfection of contact lenses according to manufacturers' or Great Lakes Eye Care's guidelines is especially important. Ceasing contact lens wear is recommended if you are feeling ill.
  • How do I clean my glasses? +

    Taking 20 seconds to wash your glasses can help protect your eyes and minimize the risk of infection! As with contact lens wearers, wash your hands and tips of fingers with soap and water for 20 seconds as well as drying with a non used paper towel is recommended.  Rinse your frames and lenses with the hottest water your hands can tolerate.  Spray with an alcohol based cleaner, following with mild soap. Rub lenses and frames for 20 seconds. Dry by air or a clean bath/kitchen towel and polish with the polishing cloth.The polishing cloth can also be washed.  It is best to avoid touching the glasses as much as possible while they are on your face to limit contamination. Read More
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Our Clinic Locations

St. Joseph, MI
Niles, MI
South Haven, MI
Mishawaka, IN

Our Address

2848 Niles Rd
St. Joseph, MI  49085
Ph: 1-800-424-2393
Fax: 269-428-5005


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Clinic Hours

Monday - Friday 
7:30 am - 4:30 pm


Our Address

120 Longmeadow Village Dr
Niles, MI  49120
Ph: 269-684-6400
Fax: 269-684-5103


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Clinic Hours

Monday - Friday
7:30 am - 4:30 pm 

Our Address

570 Broadway St
South Haven, MI 49090
Ph:  269-637-3101 

Fax: 269-637-4000

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Clinic Hours

Summer Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday - Call for Availability

Winter Hours: 
Tuesday and Thursday - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday - Call for Availability

Our Address

3550 Park Place West  Suite 200
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Ph:  574-222-1403 

Fax: 574-387-5464

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Clinic Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (days and hours may vary, call the office to confirm availability)

From the Blog

Doctor News

Statement on Death of George Floyd and Its Aftermath

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has recently released a statement regarding the death of George Floyd and the current turmoil raging across our country.  The doctors at Great Lakes Eye Care resonate with this statement and wish to take a stand against injustice that still exist in the United States.   Our Christian convictions cause us to weep alongside those who are oppressed or mistreated due to the color of their skin.  The doctors at Great Lakes Eye Care are committed to caring for all human beings created in the image of God, both in our community, and in the world.   The AAO statement is included here in it's entirety: 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology deplores the senseless death of George Floyd and others under similar circumstances. We also abhor their tragic sequelae—violence, injuries and loss of life. We know that our patients and colleagues share anger, sadness and frustration over these recent events.

The Academy is committed to inclusion, to the richness of a diverse society and to the principles of human dignity and societal equality.

The profession of ophthalmology and individual ophthalmologists are committed to providing compassionate, equitable and outstanding care for all patients and communities. We rededicate ourselves individually and collectively to that mission and to building a society of fairness, justice and opportunity for all. There is no place for racism.

Anne L. Coleman, MD
Academy President


Tamara R. Fountain, MD
Academy President-Elect


George A. Williams, MD
Academy Past-President

Doctor News

A message to our patients about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Patients of Great Lakes Eye Care,

We want to assure you that Great Lakes Eye Care is here to provide you with the highest quality of care as we continue to monitor reports of the potential impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this time, our top priority is the health of our staff and patients.

Please see our policy below:

Great Lakes Eye Care COVID-19 Policy

March 18, 2021 edition

COVID-19 – What we Know:

  • This virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. It can also remain on surfaces and be transmitted from hand to mucus membrane (nose, mouth, or eyes).
  • Most patients have flu-like symptoms. There is some disease spread by people with minimal to no symptoms. Patients with more symptoms are likely more contagious.
  • The average number of days from contact with the virus to onset of symptoms is 5.1 days.
  • Older adults are at increased risk of requiring hospitalization and dying if diagnosed with COVID-19 (1100x 65-74 years, 2800x 75-84 years, and 7900x 85 plus years).
  • We can slow the process with social distancing, washing hands often, and wearing a mask.
  • Our services are vital to preserve vision.
  • A vaccine is now available.

Our goal:

  1. To preserve and restore eyesight in our community. During this pandemic we want to help reduce the likelihood of our office being a vector for virus spread. We will balance patient volume with staff and patient safety, maintaining social distancing as much as we can with our job duties.

We will:

  • Enable employees to work remotely from home if their job tasks allow them to do so.
  • Wipe all surfaces (examples include the door handle, patient chair, and slit lamp) after each patient.
  • Remove shared items around the office; coffee centers, patient refreshments, container of mydriatic glasses, multi-use lens cloths, toys, magazines, etc.
  • Place an employee at the front door of each office to screen all patients and visitors. If a patient has any respiratory or flu-like symptoms, yet must be seen, the “COVID-19 suspect” protocol will be followed (see below).
  • Require all GLEC staff and Doctors to check their temperature and complete the self-monitoring questionnaire at the front door or employee entrances.
  • Space all chairs in the waiting room at least 6 feet apart.
  • Disinfect all waiting room chairs after each use.
  • Create multiple check in/out stations at the St. Joseph office to decrease patient congestion in one area.
  • Practice social distancing rules (keeping a distance of 6 feet between staff member and patient or staff member and staff member) as much as possible. 
  • Staff will eat lunch outside the building in their cars or at isolated work stations if their job duties allow it. Tables will be spaced out in the employee break rooms.
  • Patients are limited to one visitor/companion who is providing transportation to the patient receiving care. If the patient is capable of being alone, we will ask the visitor/companion to wait in the car.
  • Place gel hand sanitizer dispensers at every workstation and by every employee entrance.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocol:

  • All GLEC team members, regardless of position, will be required to wear a mask at all times when working, be it an N-95/KN-95 or a surgical mask.
    • Consistent or wanton failure to adhere to these policies will result in GLEC disciplinary action, including but not limited to; verbal warning, written warning, suspension or termination of employment. 
    • Wearing a mask is not necessary if working in a segregated/secluded area or private office.
  • All patients and necessary companions who are not wearing a mask or face covering when screened at the front door, will be given a surgical mask. 
    • Exceptions can be made for special situations; baseline shortness of breath, claustrophobia, mental status, or very young children are examples. Please ask the triage doctor (BPN or DNB) or safety officers if you have questions.   
  • Use proper hand hygiene (hand wash or sanitize) when putting on or taking off any mask.
    • The outside of the mask must always be considered contaminated.  
  • Eye protection is available and encouraged for all clinical staff. Regular prescription glasses “count” as eye protection.  If safety glasses are used, they should be sanitized at the end of the day.

 

COVID-19 suspect protocol:

  • Upon entry, every patient and visitor will be asked to use the nearby hand sanitizer station and the following screening questions will be asked;
    • Had a fever over 100 degrees in the last 24 hours?
    • Do you have (new or different) shortness of breath?
    • New onset of cough?
    • Have you been diagnosed with COVID in the last 14 days?
  • Temperature will be taken.
  • If the answer to any of these questions are positive, or if the temperature reading is over 100, and they have need of immediate evaluation, they will be instructed to call (269) 428-3300 to speak with one of our clinical staff.  After speaking with the patient, our triage doctor will determine appropriate treatment. 
    • Most patients will be asked to reschedule after 14 days from the day of cancellation.
    • Exceptions could be made for; patients suspected of macula-on retina detachment, neovascular glaucoma, complications of recent surgery done by a GLEC surgeon, and other conditions deemed necessary by the triage doctor.
  • If the patient requires a companion, the above questions and temperature screening will be required of the companion as well.

Returning to Work After Illness Policy:

Please talk to your supervisor about your illness and symptoms. Your supervisor will relay your symptoms to one of the GLEC COVID officers (Dr. Brown, Dr. Cooke, or Shelby Weaver, RN).

  1. If there is a high likelihood the illness is NOT COVID (seasonal allergies, mild cough or sneezing or runny nose consistent with typical allergies, etc):
    1. Return to work as soon as cleared by a GLEC COVID officer.
    2. Symptoms such as sore throat, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, body aches, low grade fever, and new onset of severe headache – will return 24 hours after symptoms abate.
  2. If there is a reasonable chance the illness IS COVID;
    1. If you have some combination of a new uncontrolled cough, difficulty breathing, a fever over 100 degrees, or anosmia (loss of smell not caused by nasal congestion), you will be advised to contact your doctor. Return to work when cleared by your doctor (in writing) or a negative COVID test and 24 hours after symptoms abate.
  3. If diagnosed as COVID:
    1. We will follow Berrien County Health Department recommendations.

*A team member who has been exposed to someone, such as a household family member, who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 should self-monitor for COVID-19 related symptoms for 14 days. However, while self-monitoring, the team member will continue to work as long as they do not have symptoms. 

** We will follow the BCHD recommendations if contacted specifically about an employee.

This GLEC/GLSC Returning to Work After Illness Policy was created with advisement from the Berrien County Health Department.

 

Doctor News

Steps We Have Taken (COVID-19)

In order to provide safe care for patients and team members, Great Lakes Eye Care and Great Lakes Surgery Center have installed protocols that are aligned with CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and State guidelines.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we work to ensure a safe environment for all! 

The following are just a few of the steps we have taken —

  • Extra cleaning throughout all facilities and frequent cleaning of high touch areas while adhering to rigorous quality and safety practices and infection prevention guidelines.
  • Providing appropriate PPE for our team members.
  • Screening all team members, patients and visitors before they enter the building. 
  • In accordance with MIOSHA, we enforce mask wearing during elevated COVID-19 community transmission levels. Beginning November 2022, masking will be optional at Great Lakes Eye Care during low community transmission levels. Masking is still required at Great Lakes Surgery Center. 

To read our complete COVID-19 policy, please click here.

Outreach We Serve

Vision Outreach International  (the missionary arm of Great Lakes Eye Care) is a ministry that follows the example of Jesus Christ and has compassion on all people, especially the blind poor in under-served regions of the world.

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Our Newsletter Get periodic updates in Your Inbox

A quarterly brief of updates from Great Lakes Eye Care, and peeks behind the scenes from our team

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