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Hopefully, that isn’t the case! Unfortunately, you cannot rule it out. We already know that the Corona virus is mainly transmitted via droplets. Once you are sneezed or coughed on by the person across from you, it is highly likely that the nasty virus will settle in your throat and, in the worst case, migrate down to your lungs. However, there is a risk of infection should the conjunctiva of your eyes come into contact with the virus. In contrast to the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose, the eyes’ conjunctiva are not proved to be an absorbing tissue, there is merely an assumption.
Yet to play it safe, you can avoid any unnecessary risks in this area as well. You should especially take extra care if you wear contact lenses. According to the British Contact Lens Association, there currently are no indications that this target group has a higher risk of infection than people wearing glasses. However, it’s no secret that people wearing contacts touch their eyes two or more times per day, to put in or take out their lenses. If this is done without washing your hands, the contacts lenses can transmit the virus. Positioned on the eye, it is merely waiting for us to rub our eyes, for example, to then touch our mucous membranes in our nose or mouth without noticing.
If the current assumptions are not confirmed and a COVID-19 infection via the visual system is not possible, viruses on the eye should not be underestimated, however. After all, a further danger is conjunctivitis, i.e. inflammation of the conjunctiva, which may not be potentially fatal, but is still quite unpleasant. Symptoms include increased blood circulation and thus reddening of the conjunctiva (see title image), conjunctival swelling, narrowing of the lid fissure, increased tear flow, photophobia (should not be a problem in quarantine), squinting one’s eyes, foreign body sensation, burning and sometimes severe pain in the eyes. In addition, changes may occur in the conjunctiva and small bubbles can arise.
The eye’s conjunctiva is a mucous membrane like that found in the mouth and nose. The moist environment there is a welcoming habitat for viruses and bacteria, one where they can settle and multiply. According to CCN health, there are reports from China stating that 3% of people infected with Corona also suffer from conjunctivitis. These persons could potentially become infection multipliers with tear liquid on their fingers.
How can glasses protect me against Corona?
You can already take a big step by wearing glasses instead and leaving your contacts in their case. Of course, your glasses cannot offer 100% protection (unless they are protective glasses used by medical personnel, for example). However, your glasses can function like a protective shield when somebody in your proximity sneezes or coughs and droplets fly towards your eyes. Furthermore, we don’t rub our eyes subconsciously as often when wearing glasses, as you’d have to take them off first. So instead of touching your eyes, why not reach for the alternative to contact lenses and go for glasses?
How can glasses protect me against Corona?
You can already take a big step by wearing glasses instead and leaving your contacts in their case. Of course, your glasses cannot offer 100% protection (unless they are protective glasses used by medical personnel, for example). However, your glasses can function like a protective shield when somebody in your proximity sneezes or coughs and droplets fly towards your eyes. Furthermore, we don’t rub our eyes subconsciously as often when wearing glasses, as you’d have to take them off first. So instead of touching your eyes, why not reach for the alternative to contact lenses and go for glasses?
