Dawn Ho1, Rebecca Low1, Louis Tong2,3,4, Vishali Gupta5, Aravamudan Veeraraghavan6, Rupesh Agrawal1,2,4,7. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, National Healthcare Group Eye Institute , Singapore, Singapore. 2. Singapore Eye Research Institute , Singapore, Singapore. 3. Department of Cornea and External Diseases, Singapore National Eye Centre , Singapore, Singapore. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore, Singapore. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research , Chandigarh, India. 6. Department of Internal Medicine, Woodlands Health Campus , Singapore, Singapore. 7. Department of Uveitis, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , London, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached pandemic proportions within an unprecedented span of time. It is controversial whether the virus can be transmitted via tears and its ocular implications have not been widely studied. In this article, the current evidence related to ocular transmission and ocular manifestations is reviewed. RESULTS: Several mechanisms for the ocular transmission of the virus are proposed with highlight on the nasolacrimal system as a conduit between the eye and the respiratory tract, and the role of the lacrimal gland in hematogenous spread. Ocular surface manifestations such as conjunctivitis are more commonly reported. CONCLUSION: The exact pathophysiology of ocular transmission of the virus remains incompletely understood, although there is preliminary evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in ocular secretions. The ocular tropism of the virus and its potential to cause localized ocular disease are worth considering.
PURPOSE: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached pandemic proportions within an unprecedented span of time. It is controversial whether the virus can be transmitted via tears and its ocular implications have not been widely studied. In this article, the current evidence related to ocular transmission and ocular manifestations is reviewed. RESULTS: Several mechanisms for the ocular transmission of the virus are proposed with highlight on the nasolacrimal system as a conduit between the eye and the respiratory tract, and the role of the lacrimal gland in hematogenous spread. Ocular surface manifestations such as conjunctivitis are more commonly reported. CONCLUSION: The exact pathophysiology of ocular transmission of the virus remains incompletely understood, although there is preliminary evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in ocular secretions. The ocular tropism of the virus and its potential to cause localized ocular disease are worth considering.
Authors: Ruchi Shah; Cynthia Amador; Kati Tormanen; Sean Ghiam; Mehrnoosh Saghizadeh; Vaithi Arumugaswami; Ashok Kumar; Andrei A Kramerov; Alexander V Ljubimov Journal: Exp Eye Res Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 3.467
Authors: Laura Iosif; Ana Maria Cristina Ţâncu; Andreea Cristiana Didilescu; Marina Imre; Bogdan Mihai Gălbinașu; Radu Ilinca Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: G Kampf; Y Brüggemann; H E J Kaba; J Steinmann; S Pfaender; S Scheithauer; E Steinmann Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2020-09-18 Impact factor: 3.926