Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Century Eye Care Medical Center, doing business as Century Eye Care (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses information when you visit our website, contact us, or receive text messages from our practice.

1. Scope of this policy

This policy covers information collected through this website and through our appointment, contact, and text-messaging channels. Medical information created or received in the course of treatment is separately governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and by our Notice of Privacy Practices. Where the two documents differ with respect to protected health information, the Notice of Privacy Practices controls.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us

• Name, phone number, and email address
• The office location you select and the message or request you submit
• Appointment requests and related scheduling details
• Feedback you voluntarily send through the site

Information collected automatically

• Browser type, device type, and operating system
• Pages viewed, referring page, and approximate region derived from IP address
• Date and time of your visit

We ask that you not submit detailed medical history, diagnoses, or other sensitive health information through the website's contact form. Website forms are not a secure channel for protected health information.

3. How we use information

• To respond to your questions and appointment requests
• To schedule, confirm, and remind you about appointments
• To provide the care and services you request
• To operate, maintain, secure, and improve the website
• To comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations

4. Text messaging (SMS) and mobile information

If you provide your mobile number and consent to receive text messages, we send text messages for two purposes only: confirming appointments and rescheduling appointments. We do not send marketing, promotional, or advertising text messages of any kind.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing to subcontractors in support services, such as customer service, is permitted. All other use case categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

How consent is obtained

We obtain your express consent before sending any text message. Consent is collected in one of two ways: on a patient form containing a text-messaging consent section, which you sign; or verbally, when you give permission to a member of our staff, which is then recorded in your chart. Consent to receive text messages is never a condition of receiving treatment, and you may withdraw it at any time.

Message frequency and cost

Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

How to stop messages

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message from us. You will receive a single confirmation message and will not receive further texts unless you opt back in. For help, reply HELP or contact the office at (310) 767-7814.

How mobile data is handled

Mobile numbers and opt-in records are stored in our practice and messaging systems and are used only to deliver the messages described above. We use a licensed messaging provider to transmit these messages on our behalf; that provider may process your number solely to deliver messages and may not use it for its own marketing.

5. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as described here:

• Service providers. Vendors who host the website, deliver messages, manage scheduling, or provide support services, under contracts limiting their use of the information.
• Legal and safety. When required by law, subpoena, or regulation, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of our patients, staff, or practice.
• Business transfer. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or transfer of practice assets, subject to the protections in this policy.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing to subcontractors in support services, such as customer service, is permitted. All other use case categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

6. Protected health information and HIPAA

As a healthcare provider, our use and disclosure of protected health information is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and by applicable California law, including the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. We use and disclose health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, and otherwise only as permitted by law or with your written authorization.

With respect to your health information, you have the right to:

• Inspect and obtain a copy of your records
• Request a correction or amendment to your records
• Receive an accounting of certain disclosures we have made
• Request restrictions on how your information is used or disclosed
• Request that we communicate with you confidentially, by a particular method or at a particular address
• Receive a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices
• Be notified in the event of a breach of your unsecured health information

Our full Notice of Privacy Practices is provided at your first visit and is available on request at either office, or by contacting us using the details below. To exercise any of these rights, or to raise a concern, please contact the practice. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

7. Cookies, analytics, and tracking

We do not use cookies, analytics services, advertising pixels, or retargeting tools on this website. We do not track you across other websites and we do not build advertising profiles about you.

The site does load fonts, scripts, and images from third-party content delivery networks, including Google Fonts, jsDelivr, and Unsplash. When your browser requests those files, those providers receive your IP address and basic request information under their own privacy policies. This is necessary to display the page and is not used by us for tracking or advertising.

8. Data retention

We keep information for as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy and to meet legal, medical-records, and accounting retention requirements, after which it is deleted or de-identified. Text-messaging consent and opt-out records are retained for as long as required to demonstrate compliance.

9. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we hold. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please do not send sensitive health information by email or through website forms.

10. Your California privacy rights

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, may give you the right to request access to the personal information we collect, request deletion or correction of that information, and to not be discriminated against for exercising those rights. We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Medical information governed by HIPAA and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act is exempt from these requests and is handled under those laws instead.

To make a request, contact us using the details below. We will verify your identity before responding.

11. Children's privacy

The website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the site. We do treat minors as patients; information collected in that context is handled as part of the medical record with the consent of a parent or guardian.

12. Links to other sites

The website may link to third-party sites we do not control. Their privacy practices are their own, and we encourage you to read their policies.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of the page reflects the most recent revision, and material changes will be posted here.

14. How to contact us

For questions about this policy, to exercise a privacy right, or to ask about text messages from the practice:

• Century Eye Care Medical Center (doing business as Century Eye Care) · Aghai Vision Institute
• 1141 W. Redondo Beach Blvd, #101, Gardena, CA 90247
• Phone: (310) 767-7814
• Email: info@centuryeyecare.com