Should you wear contact lenses amid coronavirus outbreak?

The novel coronavirus since its outbreak in China November last year has now spread internationally. As per the latest updates, the Coronavirus (CoVID-19) has spread across 159 countries, with the death toll of 7,529 and confirmed cases reaching to 184,975 as on March 18. Several health organizations such as the WHO and Government Institutions are closely monitoring the Coronavirus outbreak in their respective judrictions. 

Looking at the high transmission rate, and considering the gravity of the situation WHO on March 11th declared the outbreak pandemic, affecting around 159 countries/territories. 

Several countries are taking preventive measures such as building up quarantine facilities, active healthcare facilities, banning travel, and suspending visas. 

Amid the lockdown, Web-based services are playing key roles in providing valuable information, collaboration and networking across different levels and geographies to contain its further spread. Since there is a lot of advice to avoid public spaces, gathering, association and travelling. 

To avoid the coronavirus spread it is important to maintain strict hygiene measures including regular hand wash, avoiding touching face, opting social distancing and disinfecting physical spaces. It becomes imperative for each one to stay well infrared about the measures. 

Nowadays, Social media acts as an appealing way to connect friends, relatives, colleagues with each other during high time. But at the same time, they may be used for circulating fake news, disinformation, misinformation and mal-information. Being on advantage with high reach and engagement, any misinformation can create anxiety, fear, anger, and panic in the society. Sometimes the situations do get out of the grip of the government. 

A similar situation has come across in a time when people are living in the fear of COVID-19. 

A lot of misinformation regarding masks, sanitizers, and even contact lenses is spreading in the air with the pace the viral infection is being transmitted. Contact lenses are thin lenses placed directly on the surface of the eye. Contact lenses are used by the vast majority of people to improve their vision. 

CooperVision, a global leader in the contact lens industry, has recently clarified that there is no authentic reason that can suggest, coronavirus may transfer through contact lens wear. 

Some important measures to keep in mind regarding coronavirus spread through contact lenses includes: 

• Regular hand wash: Whether one wears contact lenses or not it is important to wash hands regularly with soap, alcohol-based solution or sanitizer to contaminate coronavirus spread.
• Contact lenses are safe to wear: Since a large number of people rely on contact lenses for their vision improvement. It becomes important to disinfect the lenses before using them. However, we need to wash our hands with soap or sanitizer before wearing them. 
• Discontinuing contact lens wear when sick: Refrain from wearing contact lenses when sick or have cold or flu-like symptoms. Strictly follow advice instructed by doctors. 
• Glasses will not offer protection from coronavirus: As of now, there is no scientific evidence that has claimed glasses can protect coronavirus or other viral disease spread through eyes. 
• Disinfect spectacles and glasses: Coronavirus droplets can remain in the air up to three hours before they settle down. So it becomes important to disinfectant the spectacles and glass before wearing them. 

Amid the number of uncertainties, fear, and myth surrounding the coronavirus disease,  it is indispensable for one to rely on authentic news sources for information related to health and pandemic diseases. Government agencies, local health authorities, international health organizations and reputed news sites provide regular and important updates, which are more reliable and accurate.