Health advice about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes the respiratory disease, COVID-19, is changing rapidly as scientists learn more. We have been overwhelmed by advice on how to keep safe, including the need of eye protection.

The virus was found in the tear and conjunctival secretions of one patient with COVID-19 pneumonia and conjunctivitis. So the conclusion i SARS-CoV-2 can cause conjunctivitis, although cases are very rare.

It is timely to run through some reminders for all our contact lens wearers. If you are ill with cold/flu/COVID-19, don’t wear your contacts until at least 24 hours after symptoms resolve. It is well established that ‘strep throat’ (and colonisation of contacts by other bacteria as well as Streptococcus) is associated with increased risk of contact lens associated inflammation. As well as the risk or microbes getting onto your contact lenses, your dampened immune response while fighting an infection, increases risk of inflammation.

If you are well you can keep wearing your contacts, remembering to practice basic hygiene. This involves washing hands with soap and running water before you touch your contact lens or your eye. If soap and water are not available, the next best alternative is to use a 60% alcohol hand sanitiser. In both cases, use the WHO method covering all hand surfaces and lasting 20-30 seconds is essential.

You should pay extra attention to the tips of your fingers and thumbs which touch the lenses.

It is important to know SARS-CoV-2 is a virus enveloped in fat. This means that soap will repel the virus and break down the coating. Alcohol 60% is also effective against coronavirus after 30 second exposure. Remember the vital step, after washing, to rinse the virus off with running water and dry with a clean paper towel. The Center for Disease Control, in the US, has a video which highlights scenarios when it is difficult to follow prescribed hand hygiene.

Timely Reminders

A recent survey of over 950 daily disposable wearers in the US, found 44% did not wash hands before lens insertion. Not only is this COVID-19 situation a good opportunity to revisit hand hygiene, let’s take this opportunity to remind everyone on other aspects of healthy contact lens wear:

One time only wear of daily disposables
Disinfect re-usable contact lenses after each wear (following manufacturers’ guidelines)
Maintain contact lens case hygiene and timely disposal
Avoid overnight wear unless prescribed.