The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recurring waves of infection, which have put the health systems of many countries under pressure and profoundly changed the habits of the population, make it necessary to assess the appropriateness of many daily habits, such as wearing contact lenses.
This issue is constantly evolving as research delves deeper into how the infection is transmitted and the characteristics of the new viral variants.
An overview of knowledge and cautions is presented in this study by an international team of scientists:
The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners
Jones L , Walsh K, Willcox M, et al
Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020 Jun; 43(3): 196-203.
Based on the data examined, the researchers state that at present there is no clinical evidence on various hotly debated points:
1. that there is an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 through the use of contact lenses compared to temple lens wear
2. that wearing eyeglasses may provide protection against transmission of COVID-19 or any other viral infection
3. that some contact lens materials may increase or reduce the risk of future SARS-Cov-2 infection compared to others.
Health professionals must, however, remain alert to any new scientific data that becomes available on the subject, while the contact lens users must comply more than strictly with all hygiene rules routinely prescribed for the correct use of this eye care product.
In particular, this recommendation becomes crucial during pandemic peakswhen access to health facilities in general and to eye examinations in particular becomes more difficult.
Contact lens wearers should bear in mind the need, in the case of daily lensesalways have stocks of replacement lensesand the need for appropriate disinfection when using the multi-purpose lensesand thus to have a appropriate container to store them and the specific solution for cleaning and sterilisation of lenses.
Finally, as with any other type of infectious disease, and in particular those affecting the respiratory system, no COVID-19 patient should continue to wear contact lenses, but rather return to wearing temporal spectacles.
To learn more about the problems associated with pandemic contact lens wear, you can read the article in full via this link
The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners
Good reading
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Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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