COVID-19 : is transmission through eye contact possible?

The article reviews international and Russian scientific papers concerning the possibility of transmitting coronavirus infections, particularly the COVID-19, through eye surface. According to the studied literature, the incidence of ocular symptoms in COVID-19 is around 0.8-31.6%, with conjunctivitis being the most frequent manifestation. The review summarizes data on virus detection in conjunctival discharge of COVID-19 patients. Across six studies, the total number of patients is 252, among which were 8 cases (3.17%) of virus detection in the conjunctival cavity. The review discusses the reasons for infrequent detection of the virus in the lacrimal fluid. The analyzed data shows that COVID-19 associated conjunctivitis can be the first symptom, the primary manifestation, or sometimes be detected in the lacrimal fluid of patients without any concomitant signs of eye surface inflammation. The article also presents two clinical cases of patients with keratoconjunctivitis and conjunctivitis associated with COVID-19, as well as the results of experimental transconjunctival and respiratory exposure of Rhesus macaques to SARS-CoV-2 with conclusion of possibility of this type of transmission. Additionally, the review contains the opinion of researchers concerning the influence of several factors on the possibility of virus detection in the lacrimal fluid. The conclusion was made that there is possibility of COVID-19 transmission through the eye surface. While it is not being considered a major transmission route, it should not be ignored. Conjunctival cavity of COVID-19 patients can be the source of infection. Eye protection measures should be undertaken when working with potentially infected patients.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:137

Enthalten in:

Vestnik oftalmologii - 137(2021), 4 vom: 21., Seite 104-109

Sprache:

Russisch

Weiterer Titel:

COVID-19: vozmozhen li put' peredachi cherez glaza?

Beteiligte Personen:

Bulgar, S N [VerfasserIn]
Akhmetshin, R F [VerfasserIn]
Abdulaeva, E A [VerfasserIn]
Rizvanov, A A [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

COVID-19
Conjunctiva
Coronavirus
Eyes
Journal Article
Review
Transmission

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 23.08.2021

Date Revised 23.08.2021

published: Print

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.17116/oftalma2021137041104

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM32953548X