As COVID-19 is spreading at the speed of light, Health experts have asked people to maintain social distance, regularly wash their hands, and not touch their nose, mouth, and eyes to prevent Corona infection. Because as surprising as it is, eyes do play an important role in spreading COVID-19.
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Coronavirus easily transmits from one person to another through droplets that an infected person coughs or sneezes out. These droplets enter your body through the mucous membranes on the face, such as the nose, mouth, and EYES.
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, an infectious disease that causes mild to severe respiratory illness. Some of the symptoms of this serious disease include cough, sore throat, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, the new loss of taste or smell, headache, diarrhea, new fatigue, nausea, or vomiting, and congestion or runny nose, etc. These Symptoms usually show up in people within 14 days of exposure. In some cases, this disease can lead to severe respiratory problems such as kidney failure, or death.
How To Guard Your Eyes Against COVID-19
- Do not rub your eyes, rubbing your eyes is anyway bad for your eye health. However, it is way riskier now to rub your eyes as it can spread COVID-19. So, if you can’t control the urge and must touch your eyes make sure to wash your hands with good soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Touching your tear or the surface where tears have fallen can also spread coronavirus. So, wash your hands after touching your tear or surface throughout the day.
- Disinfect any surface or any object that you frequently touch and is likely to touch your eyes after touching that object.
Coronavirus and Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis or pink eye happens when the conjunctiva is irritated by an infection or allergy. It usually indicates an inflammation of the membrane covering the front of your eyeball. Symptoms include red and swollen eyes with itchiness. Conjunctivitis is very contagious as it can spread by coughing and sneezing just like COvid-19.
According to a Chinese Study, viral conjunctivitis can be one of the signs of COVID-19. In fact, they found 9 of the 1,099 patients (0.8%) who were confirmed Corona patients, had conjunctival congestion.
Are Eyeglasses safer than Contact Lenses?
You might be thinking that switching to eyeglasses, for the time being, will lower the threat of being infected with the coronavirus. Practically yes. Glasses will provide an extra layer of protection to your eye in case you find yourself in a situation where someone coughs or sneezes on you. But with the exposed sides, tops, and bottoms around your frames, there is still a chance virus will reach your eyes. So even if you switch to glasses you have to be extra careful. Keep in mind, glasses are not as safe as specialized safety goggles when it comes to preventing coronavirus.
Contact Lenses during COVID-19
If you decide to wear lenses during covid, always wash your hands before inserting and removing your lenses. Also, make sure to keep a 3 to 6 month supply of contact lenses and solution in stock using no contact home delivery of course. It is not recommended to wear daily lenses over monthlies in this time of the pandemic. And don’t switch your contact lens brand or solution unless your optometrist approves.
Regularly Disinfect Glasses
Coronavirus is reported to stay on hard surfaces for days. So, you always have the chance to get coronavirus from any touch of the surface which includes a glass surface as well. People with presbyopia need to be extra careful as they touch the glasses more than others throughout the day. So, regularly disinfect your glasses, wash them with warm water and soap and dry using a microfiber cloth afterward. Remember older people are at higher risk, so they must be extra careful about disinfecting glasses.
Stock up on Eye Medicine
You must continue to follow the doctor’s instructions for all medications for your eye. For that, you should stock up important eye medicine with the lockdown around especially if you have to be quarantined. But it’s not possible for everyone to stock up since there is a limitation of supply but do request a refill as soon as you’re due. Regarding the situation, contacting your pharmacy at the last moment is not a good idea.
For any eye emergency or any query related to eye condition or to book a comprehensive eye exam contact us at Advanced Eye Clinic.
