Eyeglasses may decrease COVID-19 infection risk — study

MANILA, Philippines —  A recent study has found that people who wear eyeglasses have a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19, highlighting the importance of taking care of the eyes as well when it comes to virus protection.

Over 19,000 individuals participated in the study conducted by Virus Watch across England and Wales, with support from the Medical Research Council, and were asked if they wore glasses, for what purpose, and how likely they would wear a facemask with their glasses; 71% (13,681 people) said they generally wear glasses.

A multivariable logistic regression model then showed a 15% lower odds of infection from those who wear glasses as compared to those who do not. The effect was reduced in those who answered wearing glasses interfered with mask wearing. 

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Meanwhile, no protective effect was seen for people who wear contact lenses, explaining that lenses only cover the eyes' cornea, leaving no protection from the two routes of infection; the conjunctiva and nasolacrimal ducts.

The study, which can be found on medRxiv and is still up for peer review, thus interpreted that "eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings."

Virus Watch added that the study extends the current evidence to community settings and validates proposed biological mechanisms of eye protection reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

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