Worried about Coronavirus? Protect the eyes!

@heye2020
Mar 16, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Jul 23, 2020

You've probably heard about the importance of hand hygiene to protect from Coronavirus. Did you know it's also important to practice good ocular and visual hygiene? Read more about what you can do to protect your eyes!

What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

On March 11th, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic due to Coronavirus Disease 2019. COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus which causes symptoms ranging from mild fever/cough to severe respiratory failure, possibly even death. In some cases, viral conjunctivitis (commonly known as, "PINKEYE") has also been reported.

How do I protect my eyes from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

COVID-19 can be found in various bodily secretions, including tears, which is why it's important to do everything we can to protect from this deadly disease. Here are a few things we can do to protect our eyes:

1. STOP touching your eyes!

Here are a few tips: Skip eye makeup and throw away old products, use artificial tears instead of fingers to relieve ocular discomfort, and wear glasses instead of contact lenses for an added layer of protection.

2. DO NOT use over-the-counter eyewash!

Eyewash is not an effective way of routinely cleaning eyes. In fact, you are more likely to get secondary infections from a dirty eye cup. Use a saline rinse to flush the eye only in a case of emergency like something small stuck in the eye.

3. Take frequent breaks when on the computer, phone, or tablet!

You are probably spending a lot of extra time working remotely on a digital devices. Don't forget to look at something far away like a window or across the room to relax your eyes.

4. Order an extra pair of glasses from H.EYE! (www.heye2020.com)

Anything could happen, even in the safety of your own home. Pets chew, toddlers pull, and we roll (over). Don't get caught in the middle of a quarantine without an extra pair of eyeglasses!

Check out our previous post on the top 5 things to purchase for your eyes in case of quarantine