UAE doctors explain: Can eyeglasses protect you from Covid-19?

Dubai - Ophthalmologists list out tips on how you can take care of your eyes in Covid time.

A study done in China revealed that those wearing eyeglasses appeared to be at lower risk of contracting Covid-19. Though UAE ophthalmologists agree that eyewear or goggles could help, they say there’s not enough evidence to support the new study.

Researchers who published the findings in the JAMA Ophthalmology journal found that the proportion of Covid-positive near-sighted people who wore glasses for more than eight hours a day was five times lower than the number of Covid patients with normal eyesight.

Dubai opthalmologist Dr Lilan Bhat explained that glasses might help in reducing the number of times people would touch their eyes after getting in contact with a contaminated surface. However, she said the overall link between eyewear and Covid infection remained weak. In fact, a spokesperson of the American Academy of Ophthalmology had earlier said “there is insufficient information to recommend that people start wearing eye protection in addition to masks”, she added.

“Protective glasses, not the regular ones are mandatory for healthcare professionals, especially those working in the intensive care units and respiratory therapists. People can wear face shields when stepping out as that also helps to protect the eyes,” said Dr Bhat of Prime Hospital in Dubai.

Another ophthalmologist at Medeor Hospital, Dr Sanjay Vodela, said: “Coronavirus can spread through the eyes when an infected person coughs or sneezes in close proximity or if you touch a contaminated object before touching your eye. Eyeglasses in general protect you from such airborne conditions, as droplets from such a situation will not hit your eye and this is why contamination chances are higher if you do not have an eyewear.”

Can Covid be linked with eye infections? Dr Bhat said sore eyes had been frequently noted in Covid-positive patients who experience redness, tearing and mucous discharge, “more so in patients admitted in the intensive care unit”.

“Rarely, severe infections — including a corneal infection and other sight-threatening infections — are possible. In just one Covid patient, I saw a severe herpes virus infection of the eye, probably a reactivation which resolved over several weeks leaving behind corneal scars,” she said.

saman@khaleejtimes.com