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Contact lens wearers urged to switch to glasses during COVID-19 pandemic
People who wear contact lenses tend to touch their eyes and faces more often than those who don’t.
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Those who continue wearing contact lenses should wash their hands properly before and after putting in or taking out their contacts. (Shutterstock/Africa Studio)
Those who wear contact lenses may want to switch to glasses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 10, the American Academy of Ophthalmology released safety measures for the eyes, as evidence suggests that the novel coronavirus may be transmissible through the eyes. People are instructed to avoid rubbing their eyes, touching their faces and touching surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus.
People who wear contact lenses touch their eyes often when putting on and removing contacts. They also tend to touch their eyes and faces more often than others who don’t wear contact lenses.
“Some people are not very hygienic and may have forgotten to first wash their hands,” said Thomas Steinemann, a clinical spokesman from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, to cnn.com.
Read also: Think you know how to wash your hands? Doctors say use this method at 9 specific times
While experts have said there's still no definitive proof that the coronavirus can enter through the eye, wearing glasses is considered a preventive measure to help avoid the disease.
Glasses can serve as additional barriers to protect you from the virus, although they’re not as effective as goggles.
Additionally, when attempting to secure your glasses, it’s recommended to cover your fingers with a tissue instead of touching the glasses with your bare hands.
Those who continue wearing contact lenses should wash their hands properly before and after putting in or taking out their contacts. The association also recommended avoiding contact with water while wearing the contact lenses, following orders from professionals regarding use of contacts and cleaning or substituting contact lenses and containers routinely. (wir/wng)
