As we all know, the transmission of COVID-19 virus is mainly through respiratory droplets and contact transmission. During this process, mouth, nose, hands, and eyes are the main vectors of virus transmission. How to prevent the virus from touching these parts is the key to preventing COVID-19. For the nose and mouth, the mask can effectively isolate the virus, but for the eyes, people do n’t know other protection details except the use of goggles. Recently, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has proposed that during the COVID-19 epidemic, people with myopia should “give up” contact lenses and wear more frame glasses to reduce the urge to touch the eyes and the possibility of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
The COVID-19 virus can be infected through the eyes
The American Academy of Ophthalmology pointed out that although the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that eye transmission is not the main mode of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, it still needs people’s attention.
When a COVID-19 patient coughs or talks, viral particles will spray out of their mouth or nose and onto the face of another person. These virus particles can enter the body not only through people’s mouth or nose, but also through the eyes. On the other hand, people’s hands rubbing their eyes after touching items with the COVID-19 virus can also cause infections.
In addition, the American Academy of Ophthalmology warned that in very rare cases, the COVID-19 virus may cause conjunctivitis. At this time, the COVID-19 virus may be spread by contact with the liquid in the eyes of the infected person or objects carrying the liquid.
The best way to prevent eye transmission is to wear goggles, so when do you need to wear goggles? In general, the new coronavirus spreads between individuals through contact with the patient’s secretions, blood or body fluids, through the damaged skin or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. Although droplets directly enter the eyes and have a lower chance of contracting conjunctivitis, there are still such cases.
Therefore, goggles are recommended to be worn in areas where people are focused or in hospitals where there is a higher risk of virus transmission. In environments with low population density and good ventilation, it is not necessary to wear goggles. However, it is still forbidden to touch the mucosal tissues of the eyes, mouth, nose and other parts with your hands or other items that may be contaminated.
It should be noted that once itchy, red eyes and other conjunctivitis symptoms appear, it is necessary to increase vigilance, closely observe changes in the condition, and seek medical treatment in a timely manner.
People who wear contact lenses prefer to touch their eyes
Since the eyes are an important way to get infected with the COVID-19 virus, it is especially important to reduce eye contact. In life, people who wear contact lenses love to touch their eyes more than people who wear glasses or do not wear glasses. Therefore, changing the usual habit of wearing contact lenses may help avoid COVID-19 virus infection through the eyes.
Dr. Sonal Tuli, a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, suggested that if you often rub your eyes when wearing contact lenses, then consider wearing more glasses. This reduces irritation to the eyes and forces you to stop before touching your eyes.
If you wear contact lenses for a long time, you will often find itchy and inflamed eyes. There are many reasons, such as not washing hands before wearing contact lenses; the normal wearing time of contact lenses is 6 ~ 8 hours. Many people wear contact lenses in the morning until they go to bed. This can easily cause dry eyes and foreign body sensation. Uncomfortable feeling; sleeping with contact lenses; invisible care solution is not changed every day. These will cause dry and itchy eyes, and unconsciously rub the eyes.
Others have suggested that wearing spectacles can help protect you from infected respiratory droplets. But the American Ophthalmological Association warned that wearing spectacles does not guarantee foolproof. If you want to take care of a COVID-19 patient, goggles are a better defense.
It is inconvenient to replace contact lenses to keep clean and hygienic during use
For those who ca n’t change the frame glasses, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has given hygienic tips for using contact lenses to minimize the risk of infection.
Before handling contact lenses, wash hands with soap and water, and dry hands with a lint-free towel; minimize contact with water, remove lenses before showering, swimming, or entering a hot tub; do not use water (tap water or Sterile water) Rinse the contact lenses and do not store them in water (tap or sterile water); do not put the contact lenses in the mouth to get wet; do not use physiological saline and lubricating drops to disinfect the lenses, both liquids Not an effective or approved disinfectant; wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule of eye care experts; clean contact lenses by rubbing and rinsing. Rub the contact lens with your finger, then rinse with solution before soaking. Even if the solution used is frictionless, use this method to clean it; rinse the contact lens case with fresh solution (not water) and leave the box open to dry Keep the contact lens case clean and replace it regularly, at least every three months. The contact lens case may be a source of contamination and infection. Do not use a broken or damaged contact lens case; do not reuse the old solution and do not use Fill the glasses case with the solution; do not transfer the contact lens solution into smaller travel containers; do not let the top of the solution bottle touch any surface. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use; store it for 30 days or longer After the time, do not wear the contact lens again without disinfection.