Recent reports suggest that the coronavirus may cause, inter alia, conjunctivitis, although it is less common than fever, dry cough, fatigue or shortness of breath. The COVID-19 coronavirus stays on hard surfaces for hours, even days, from where it can easily be transferred to the fingers or face of people wearing contact lenses or glasses. Therefore, compliance with hygiene and eye protection are crucial when we are away from home during an epidemic.
According to JAMA Ophthalmology, in the Chinese province of Hubei, ophthalmological problems occurred in one third of the examined COVID-19 patients who had more severe disease. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found “conjunctival hyperaemia” in 9 out of 1099 patients (0,8%) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 30 hospitals in China.
Cases of conjunctivitis, conjunctival cysts, and uveitis have been diagnosed among people infected with the COVID-19 virus, potentially leading to a significant deterioration in visual acuity.
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The latest information regarding coronavirus replication comes from Italy. As published in the prestigious scientific journal Annals of Internal Medicine, the coronavirus is capable of multiplying not only in the respiratory system but also in the conjunctiva.
Researchers at the Spallanzani infectious disease hospital in Rome isolated the coronavirus from the tears of a patient suffering from COVID-19 and conjunctivitis. Eye swab showed COVID-19 virus despite negative respiratory result. The eyes can therefore be the site of entry of the virus into the body, as well as a potential source of infection.
Clean your glasses, don’t touch your eyes
Ophthalmic symptoms that may appear in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection result from the presence of coronavirus in the tear film and the secretion of the conjunctival sac. Therefore, under no circumstances should you borrow glasses or try on someone else’s. It is also better not to leave reading and computer glasses on the counter or desk, but put them in a clean case after use.
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Sunglasses after returning home should be washed with soapy water or a mild detergent – not only the glasses, but also the nozzles and temples.
Do not use alcohol-based disinfectants to clean the glasses, as they may damage them.
Use contact lenses safely
According to the new recommendations of the American CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the use of contact lenses during the COVID-19 epidemic is safe, provided that strict hygiene and safety rules are followed. In case of any lesions, the lenses should be removed and replaced with corrective glasses until the health condition improves.
Before each putting on and taking off contact lenses, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (according to the rules provided by the Chief Sanitary Inspector) and dry with a clean disposable paper towel. Daily use lenses should be discarded the same day after use and the replacement lenses and storage container should be disinfected regularly. Only the care fluid recommended by the manufacturer and recommended by a specialist is used for this purpose. The lens storage case needs to be replaced more than once a month.
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Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected] You can find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.