Navaratnam, Annalan Md;
O'Callaghan, Christopher;
Beale, Sarah;
Nguyen, Vincent;
Aryee, Anna;
Braithwaite, Isobel;
Byrne, Thomas E;
... Virus Watch Collaborative; + view all
(2024)
Eyeglasses and risk of COVID-19 transmission—analysis of the Virus Watch Community Cohort study.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
, 139
pp. 28-33.
10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.021.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via the eyes is unknown with previous studies mainly focusing on protective eyewear in healthcare settings. METHODS: Participants from the Virus Watch prospective community cohort study responded to a questionnaire on the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Infection was confirmed through data linkage, self-reported positive results, and, for a subgroup, monthly capillary antibody testing. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, income and occupation, were used to identify odds of infection depending on frequency and purpose of eyeglasses or contact lenses use. RESULTS: 19,166 participants responded to the questionnaire, with 13,681 (71.3%, CI 70.7-72.0) reporting they wore eyeglasses. Multivariable logistic regression model showed 15% lower odds of infection for those who reported using eyeglasses always for general use (OR 0.85, 95% 0.77-0.95, p = 0.002) compared to those who never wore eyeglasses. The protective effect was reduced for those who said wearing eyeglasses interfered with mask wearing and absent for contact lens wearers. CONCLUSION: People who wear eyeglasses have a moderate reduction in risk of COVID-19 infection highlighting eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings.
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