Subscribe to Newsletter
Subspecialties COVID-19, Cornea / Ocular Surface, Basic & Translational Research

Cornea Contra COVID-19

Figure 1. Rajendra Apte, Washington University School of Medicine.

Some viruses, such as herpes simplex (HSV) or Zika, can infect the cornea and use this entry point to spread to other parts of the body – especially in immunocompromised patients. Does SARS-CoV-2 have this ability?

Researchers weren’t sure until a recent study by a team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, showed that the cornea appears to resist infection from the novel coronavirus. Led by Jonathan J. Miner, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, and Pathology and Immunology and Rajendra Apte, Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine, the team exposed mouse and human corneas to the virus and identified substances in corneal tissue that inhibited viral growth.

That isn’t a free pass to take off the eye protection – it’s still unknown whether tear ducts or the conjunctiva are vulnerable to the virus – but COVID-19 is unlikely to be transmitted through corneal transplant or similar procedures.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Ophthalmologist and its sponsors.

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. JJ Miner et al., Cell Rep, 33 (2020). PMID: 33147451.
About the Author
Aleksandra Jones

Editor of The Ophthalmologist

Having edited several technical publications over the last decade, I crossed paths with quite a few of Texere's current team members, and I only ever heard them sing the company's praises. When an opportunity arose to join Texere, I jumped at the chance! With a background in literature, I love the company's ethos of producing genuinely engaging content, and the fact that it is so well received by our readers makes it even more rewarding.

Product Profiles

Access our product directory to see the latest products and services from our industry partners

Here
Register to The Ophthalmologist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Ophthalmologist magazine

Register

Disclaimer

The Ophthalmologist website is intended solely for the eyes of healthcare professionals. Please confirm below: