Does wearing contact lenses increase your risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus?
Watch the video below from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) which explains all the facts about contact lenses and Coronavirus!
There has been some misinformation in the media and social media regarding this issue. To clear things up, prominent researchers have published a review article, "COVID-19 Pandemic: Important Considerations for Contact Lens Practitioners" which found that contact lenses are a SAFE to wear during the coronavirus pandemic, as long as good hand hygiene is followed. Hand hygiene is important for safe contact lens wear, regardless of whether there is a pandemic!
The CDC has also supported these findings and has stated that "there is no evidence to suggest contact lens wearers are more at risk for acquiring COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers."
Regular eyeglasses are NOT considered to be a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and should not give people a false sense of security. In fact, glasses wearers may touch their glasses frequently while adjusting them on their face, or taking them on and off.
Therefore, whether or not you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly to minimize your risk of getting COVID-19.
Washing your glasses frequently is a good idea as well, as glasses are touched with our hands often.
Hope you find this information helpful!