According to a new study conducted in India, people wearing glasses may be three times less likely to have coronavirus. Preliminary studies suggest that glass wearers may have additional protection because they touch their eyes less often than most people.
For COVID-19, “touching and rubbing eyes with contaminated hands can be an important route to infection”, the authors wrote in a report published on medRxiv, a website that compiles medical studies before they Peer-review. The new study found that the risk of infection was two to three times lower among those who, according to the report, wear glasses for at least eight hours a day. Indian researchers described the findings as “statistically significant”.
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The study was conducted in the northern district of Kanpur Dehat last year. There were 304 patients between 10 and 80 years of age. Reportedly, all of them experienced coronovirus symptoms and about 60 were considered to be long-time glass wearers.
The study authors stated that COVID-19 infection through the eyes is “extremely rare,” but added that the virus drops can easily pass from the eyes to a nose or mouth. The best way to prevent such infection is to avoid touching the eyes. According to the study, medical personnel treating coronovirus patients should also go ahead and wear safety goggles for extra protection.
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