Why Eyeglasses Offer Better Protection from New Coronavirus than Contact Lenses
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Experts advise individuals to wear glasses rather than contact lenses as a protective measure against the Covid-19 infection. Avoiding contact lenses can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, health officials point out.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that individuals should not touch their faces, in particular their eyes, mouth, or nose in order to prevent them from becoming infected.
In this regard, people who wear contact lenses are not only increasing their chances of contracting the disease but are more likely to touch their eyes countless times throughout the day.
Ophthalmology Clinic said that “Replacing contact lenses with glasses can reduce eye irritation, as well as stopping the person when they realize they are about to touch their eyes”.
Furthermore, the clinic says wearing glasses also provides another type of protection against the Covid-19 as it is an additional barrier in case someone carrying the virus coughs or sneezes, safeguarding the eyesight of the expelled droplets.
However, it is important to note that wearing glasses affords only a limited protection – and that maintaining the so-called social distance from other people is still the most important measure to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
Wang Guangfa, a medical lung specialist, said that he believes he contracted the virus from a patient and that this contagion occurred through the eyes.
Guangfa explained that one of his eyes suddenly became inflamed, even before any other symptoms manifested, and before being diagnosed with the Covid-19.
Experts advise that if you must wear contact lenses, you should then thoroughly wash your hands before applying them to your eyes, as well as use specific drops throughout the day to relieve any irritation you feel in your eyes.
Using tissues to adjust the lenses may also be a viable solution to reduce the chance of contracting the novel coronavirus when touching the eyes.
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