6 Tips: COVID and our Eyes Health

To slow the spread of COVID-19 prevention is key.

The most common-sense COVID-19 precautions are the best: keep a safe distance from others, wash your hands regularly, wear a firm-fitting mask and get vaccinated.

Aside from these basics here are a few extra COVID precautions to take in relation to your eyes:

1. Wear your glasses

Glasses and sunglasses can partially shield the eyes from respiratory droplets and small airborne particles containing the virus. Glasses alone don’t provide complete security – the virus can reach your eyes through the top, bottom, and sides of your glasses. That is why frontline health workers and ICU staff wear goggles and face shields and why we are all encouraged to wear masks, more specifically P2/ N95 masks.

2. Clean glasses regularly

Clean your glasses regularly but be sure not to put anti-bacterial hand sanitizer on the lens surfaces (it might smear and leave streaks). Also: wash your glasses cleaning cloth once a week.

3. Safe contact lens wear

You can continue to wear contact lenses but wash your hands thoroughly. There is no evidence that wearing contact lenses increases your risk of COVID-19. Wash your hands with soap and water before inserting and after removing your contact lenses.

4. If symptomatic, take a break from contacts

If you are ill, you should stop wearing your contacts temporarily and switch to glasses. Once you are well again, you can use your contact lenses again, but be sure to use new contact lenses and a new lens case.

 5. Do not rub your eyes

In general, it is a good idea to avoid rubbing your eyes, always. If you can’t stop rubbing your eyes, however, use a tissue instead of your fingers or wash your hands with soap and water before and after you touch your eyes.

 6. Avoid mask-associated dry eye

An ill-fitting surgical mask can cause your breath to be channeled up out of the top of the mask and over the surface of the eyes, drying them out. Be sure your mask fits well, limit your time in air-conditioned environments and step outside for a break periodically. Ideally, for greater protection, you should be wearing P2/ N95 masks.

As our understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve and change, Eyecare Plus optometrists and staff place a priority on staying educated and informed to ensure the health of our patients.

Eyecare Plus optometrists and staff strictly adhere to all government health and safety advice to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This includes rigorous dedication to hand-hygiene and the use of PPE, such as surgical masks, gloves, eye protection and breath shields for equipment.

Eyecare Plus optometry practices carry out enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the patient environment on a regular basis.

If you have further questions, speak with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist or visit the Australian Government Department of Health’s website for official medical advice and information on treatments and vaccines.

For information about COVID-19 and vaccines call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.