27/05/2020
EYE SAFETY AND LENS CARE THROUGH THE COVID-19 ERA AND BEYOND:
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen diverse rumours roll out in relation to its origin, validity, treatment, management, prevention, cure, transmission and biological impact as it were. Well, we are not here to bug you with all those theses and debate today. Our focus on this topic is to highlight feasible approaches to adopt in caring for your eyes as well as your lenses and glasses in general, throughout this pandemic period and beyond even.
If there are two dauntless facts that have consistently stood amidst the whole saga, they are the transmissibility and then infectiousness of the Coronavirus. Imperatively in both, hygiene stands to be a factor in both its prevention and combat. At least, a whole lot of honest folks will nod positively to this beaming truth. That being said, let’s explore some relevant eye and lens care modules:
Avoid Touching Your Eyes:
Physical contact is a sure way of transmitting the virus. Since our hands make contact with a lot of surfaces that we cannot guarantee are safe and germfree, it is best we avoid touching our eyes with our hands as much as possible, to reduce the risk of getting infected.
Regular Hand washing:
Regular washing of hands with soap under running water for about 20 seconds and hand sanitization as often as possible with either portable or stationary sanitizers are highly recommended to enhance hygiene levels and curb contamination.
Wear Glasses Frequently:
Just as facemasks are to the nose and mouth, regular wear of glasses (whether prescription glasses or sunglasses) can help minimize the risk of transmission of the virus to the eyes via droplets. This may not be 100% effective, but it sure will offer some appreciable level of safety.
Keep Lenses Clean Regularly:
Cleaning of glasses often with non-citrus based soaps/dishwashing liquid and water and wiping same with a neat lint-free towel, would not only reduce smudge and debris from the lenses but also help in reducing the chances of you and your glasses getting contaminated. Contact lens users must stick to recommended contact lens care regimen, using contact lens solutions to disinfect and preserve their lenses, while maintaining hand cleanliness alongside.
Disinfect Frame Often:
When outdoor as necessitates, make it a point of duty to disinfect frame surface [not the lens surface] with alcohol-based disinfectant to keep them viral-free and prevent/curb infection while handling.Using alcohol on lens surfaces, especially on such with coatings could be very harsh and have adverse effects.
Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces:
Habitual disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door knobs/handles, phones, keyboards, office desks, stationeries, etc.) will go a long way preventing the contraction of the virus. Though your eyes do not have a direct contact with any of these surfaces, yet your hands could serve as a vector in the possible contraction and spread of the contagion to the eyes on touching the eyes unknowingly, if such surfaces are not properly attended to.
Observe Social Distancing:
Maintenance of social distancing is necessary as a rule of thumb in the bid to militate the infection, transmission and spread of the virus, as droplets from coughs, sneezes and spittle from infected individual can spray find their way to the mouth, nose and eyes.
What’s that popular slogan again? Yeah! “Prevention is better than cure.” That’s right!
Following these eye protection and lens care guidelines in safeguarding the eyes and complementary visual aids, will cumulatively reduce the risk of getting infected or infecting others within this pandemic period and beyond, keeping us safe and healthy.
