Join Africa's fastest growing career community!

Featured

Corona Virus and your eyes

Precautionary measures dictate that we should avoid touching the face at all costs so as to minimize the risk of contracting Covid-19. So what is the connection between the eyes and this respiratory disease?

Article Preview Image

Precautionary measures dictate that we should avoid touching the face at all costs so as to minimize the risk of contracting Covid-19. So what is the connection between the eyes and this respiratory disease?

Photo Credit: Mati Mango

The new corona virus is changing our lives radically in every aspect that we know and have ever heard of. It has challenged and disorganized our normal lives and it is slowly introducing a new normal. One of the new normal that we are being forced to embrace is avoiding touching the face. Touching the face with our hands is completely natural. We do it all the time even subconsciously. Time and again we feel a discomfort or a nagging itch in the eye and we quickly settle it with either of your hands.

Precautionary measures dictate that we should avoid touching the face at all costs so as to minimize the risk of contracting Covid-19. So what is the connection between the eyes and a respiratory disease? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology the eyes have a mucous membrane. The eye and the nose are connected via the naso-lacrimal duct whose work is to drain excess tears when a person is crying. It is the mucous membranes (membranes that line various cavities in the body) that are most susceptible to transmission of the virus. Wearing a mask might be effective in blocking the nose and mouth but the eyes are left exposed. Doctors and ophthalmologists advise those who wear contact lenses to put them on hold for now and switch to wearing glasses.

Glasses act as a shield for the eyes from droplets from someone who has sneezed or coughed. Eye glasses also slow a person’s hand from frequently rubbing their eyes when they feel discomfort. A Peking University Specialist reported that he believed he contracted Covid-19 for not wearing eye protection devices when treating Covid-19 patients. He says that his eyes later became inflamed then a fever manifested. A buildup of mucus in his nose and throat followed. Later he tested positive for the Coronavirus. World Health Organization and CDC America emphasize that we should regularly and thoroughly wash our hands with soap or a sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol and avoid touching our faces so as to minimize the risk of getting the Coronavirus.

Written by

Kelvin Mokaya


Give a like!

2 Comments

Sign in to read comments and engage with the Fuzu community.

Login or Create a Free Account