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The coronavirus pandemic and taking care of eyes

Updated on: 26 March,2021 12:13 PM IST  |  Mumbai
BrandMedia | brandmedia@mid-day.com

Medical institutions like the Eye7 Chaudhary Eye Centre are acting efficiently to put all necessary precautions so that the incoming patients do not contract any virus

The coronavirus pandemic and taking care of eyes

Coronavirus pandemic and taking care of eyes

The Novel Coronavirus's advent has pushed a large section of the society to apprehension about visiting the hospitals and medical institutions. You cannot call out on them as they are in their right to be afraid of contracting the virus while visiting the facilities. Such measures cannot be adopted worldwide as millions of people require regular visits to the hospital to seek medical assistance.


Medical institutions like the Eye7 Chaudhary Eye Centre are acting efficiently to put all necessary precautions so that the incoming patients do not contract any virus. It's important to mention that they diligently follow social distancing to prevent the virus spread. While most eye clinics are continuing with in-person appointments, a few handfuls of optical facilities provide "virtual" telemedicine visits over the phone or through video chat on a computer or Smartphone.


We must all try to be at the best of our health during such testing times. But there might be occasions when an eye emergency might force you to the hospital. 


Here's a list of common eye emergencies that you must not ignore and call for ophthalmologist support instead.

  1. Wavy Vision or Blank Spots in Eye
  2. Eye Injuries (Minor Ones Included)
  3. Halos in the Vision
  4. Sudden Loss of Vision or Partial Vision
  5. Pain from Eye Pressure, Often Accompanied by Headache
  6. Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy or Glaucoma

How Can the Coronavirus Get to Your Eyes?

The novel Coronavirus is one of the most dangerous viruses that you can catch in the present climate. The easiest way of contracting the virus is by rubbing your eyes with the previously infected hands on an already infected surface. You can also get the virus from someone who has already been infected through their coughs or sneezing. 

According to Dr Rahil Chaudhary from Eye7, the "pink eye infection" or conjunctivitis can be one of the most prominent symptoms of the Covid-19 virus in a human being. Despite it being extremely rare, you must consult with an eye specialist if your eyes go red or irritable. Conductivities must not be neglected at all, whether it's regular or the Covid-19 symptomatic, as it spreads rapidly, it is prescribed to the patient to remain isolated and sanitized at all times.

How to Protect the Eyes during the Pandemic?

It is imperative to keep all your vitals, namely eyes, nose, mouth, and hands absolutely clean, as by adapting to such routes, you can reduce the spread of the virus. Despite the scare being of monumental scale, we must not drop the ball by abandoning the essential precautions. 

  • Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses

People wearing contact lenses touch their eyes more than regular individuals. Although no evidence says wearing contact lenses increases the threat of contracting the virus. If you can switch to glasses, there will be fewer irritations in your eyes. Also, the glasses will add another layer over your eyes, thereby forcing you to pause before touching your eyes.

  • Glasses Add an Extra Layer

As mentioned in the previous point, using glasses can add an extra layer over your eyes. While they can stop your hands from directly accessing the eyes, they also provide shielding against infected respiratory droplets. But it would be best if you stay cautious that the glasses do not come full proof. Your eyes are still exposed through the top and bottom of the glasses. So, in case you are in any potentially affected region, you must consider using safety goggles.

  • Stock Up Medical Needs

As the world is battling through a health crisis, we face unprecedented circumstances and conditions. Medical professionals suggest that you should have enough medicine in your inventory during such occasions, considering a satiation if there is another lockdown, or one is forced to remain in-home quarantine. Check if your insurance allows you to stock more than a month's eye medicine- if yes, then you must act on it. 

  • Avoid Rubbing the Eyes

We, humans, have weird tendencies such as rubbing our eyes at every interval. While it could be hard to act against one's habit, but you should do so to reduce the risk of infection. Indeed, you cannot hold on to not rubbing your eyes forever. The question now arises, what happens if your eyes are burning, or you need to readjust your glasses? Use tissue papers or a handkerchief instead of your fingers to do both. Furthermore, dry eyes often ask for a good rub. So, it would be best if you used a good eye moisturizer to keep them moist. Lastly, if you are touching your eyes for medical purposes, you must wash your hands properly before and after the process.

  • Follow Social Distancing

Lastly, one must adhere to the safety guidelines to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and secure. Here is the list of guidelines from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that we must follow

  • Always wash your hands with a Soap or a Hand Sanitizer 
  • Cover your nose and mouth while Sneezing or Coughing. 
  • Stay Indoors when you are Sick

Does Wearing Eye Protection Help in Preventing COVID-19?

Goggles and face shields are perfectly capable of protecting our frontline workers against infected patients. And for the rest of us, practicing the regular drills and social distancing should be enough to fight against the virus.

Final Words

If you plan to visit an ophthalmologist's clinic either for a routine check-up or an urgent need, it is normal to feel vulnerable given the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). It would be best if you remained assured that all medical professionals adhering to strict hygiene guidelines provide you with complete security.

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