Coronavirus: Have developing contact lens wearers are at a higher risk to?

Experts, virologists, and scientists agree – the novel Coronavirus is transmitted mainly by droplet infection.

However, Transmission by contaminated surfaces in the immediate vicinity of an Infected cannot be ruled out-of-date.

According to eye experts may have because of the constant touches around the eyes especially contact lens wearers, therefore, an increased risk of being infected with the Coronavirus.

The Coronavirus is transmitted

The principal mode of Transmission appears to be airborne droplets – these droplets caused during coughing or Sneezing.

When they are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eye. Experts advise to avoid for this reason, in addition to conventional hygiene measures and frequent touching of the face.

Also a Transmission through contaminated surfaces is not currently excluded, virologists, according to but unlikely, because the viruses prefer a moist environment to survive.

Nevertheless, in the case of surfaces which are provided in the immediate vicinity of an Infected are, caution.

Due to frequent Touching of the face, the risk of infection seems to be particularly in contact lens wearers increase.

Contact lens wearers take often in the face

David Chu is an assistant Professor of ophthalmology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark and provides information about a possible increased risk of infection in users of contact lenses.

First, the expert can give the all-clear: “There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19-Transfer by dealing with contact lenses.”

However, Chu noted that “Since contact lenses can eye irritation cause, tend makers to touch your face or RUB your eyes more often, thus they are exposed to a higher risk of infection.”

For this reason, the expert advises that people belonging to the risk group, or with someone living with the Virus has been diagnosed, should consider, temporarily, on a pair of glasses to switch.

Proper handling of contact lenses is important

In order to protect themselves in times of Corona-pandemic viruses and bacteria, you should lay special emphasis on Hygiene value. This is also essential in dealing with contact lenses.

Expert Chu explains how this works: “You have to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry completely before using contact lenses.”

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In addition, contact lenses should be removed at night and in suitable, clean containers with the type of lens suitable disinfecting and storage solution to be stored.

These standard techniques for the care of contact lenses should be during the current Situation sufficiently to protect contact lens wearers prior to the Coronavirus.

Coronavirus: Transmission through tears is unlikely

Although the SARS-CoV-2 was detected-the Virus is already in human tears, this seems to be, according to Chu, but rather an exception.

A case study shows that patients who have been tested in the nose and throat positive for the Virus, and showed no relevant virus concentration in their tears.

For the conduct of the study, the researchers collected tears samples from 17 patients were tested positive for the Coronavirus.

Sources

• Rutgers University: A Rutgers expert discusses the best ways to protect your eyes, retrieved on 24.04.2020: https://www.rutgers.edu/news/are-contact-lenses-covid-19-infection-risk
• Seah, I. et al. (2020): Assessing Viral Shedding and Infectivity of Tears in Coronavirus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19) Patients, archived from the original on 24.04.2020: https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(20)30311-0/pdf

Antonia Hagedorn

*The article “Coronavirus: Have developing contact lens wearers are at a higher risk to?” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.