Eyeglasses and risk of COVID-19 transmission—analysis of the Virus Watch Community Cohort study
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives The importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via the eyes is unknown, with previous studies mainly focusing on protective eyewear in healthcare settings. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that wearing eyeglasses is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19. Methods Participants from the Virus Watch prospective community cohort study responded to a questionnaire on the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Infection was confirmed through data linkage, self-reported positive results, and, for a subgroup, monthly capillary antibody testing. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, income, and occupation, were used to identify the odds of infection depending on frequency and purpose of eyeglasses or contact lenses use. Results A total of 19,166 participants responded to the questionnaire, with 13,681 (71.3%, CI 70.7-72.0) reporting they wore eyeglasses. Multivariable logistic regression model showed a 15% lower odds of infection for those who reported using eyeglasses always for general use (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% 0.77-0.95, P = 0.002) compared to those who never wore eyeglasses. The protective effect was reduced for those who said wearing eyeglasses interfered with mask-wearing and was absent for contact lens wearers. Conclusions People who wear eyeglasses have a moderate reduction in risk of COVID-19 infection, highlighting that eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings.
Authors: Annalan M.D. Navaratnam, Christopher O'Callaghan, Sarah Beale, Vincent Nguyen, Anna Aryee, Isobel Braithwaite, Thomas E. Byrne, Wing Lam Erica Fong, Ellen Fragaszy, Cyril Geismar, Susan Hoskins, Jana Kovar, Parth Patel, Madhumita Shrotri, Sophie Weber, Alexei Yavlinsky, Robert W. Aldridge, Andrew C. Hayward, Susan Michie, Pia Hardelid, Linda Wijlaars, Eleni Nastouli, Moira Spyer, Ben Killingley, Ingemar Cox, Vasileios Lampos, Rachel A. McKendry, Tao Cheng, Yunzhe Liu, Jo Gibbs, Richard Gilson, Alison Rogers, Anne M. Johnson
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Awards: G1147631174, G1487783829, Investigating incidence, severity and risk factors for COVID-19 in BAME and Migrant groups to inform public health action., G7689957250, G7747203313, EPSRC IRC in Early-Warning Sensing Systems for Infectious Diseases, i-sense: EPSRC IRC in Agile Early Warning Sensing Systems for Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance
OpenAlex ID: W4389001167