Subscribe to Newsletter
Subspecialties Comprehensive, Health Economics and Policy, COVID-19

All Eyes on Coronavirus

A recent Lancet study has stated that transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) through the ocular surface must not be ignored (1). The statement comes after the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) issued an alert on January 28 suggesting the virus can cause conjunctivitis and is possibly transmitted via aerosol contact with the conjunctiva – increasing the likelihood that ophthalmologists will be the first healthcare providers to evaluate patients potentially infected with COVID-19 (2).

The novel coronavirus is "not as deadly as [...] SARS and MERS," according to the WHO (3), but despite the lower case fatality rate, it has already resulted in more deaths than SARS and MERS combined (4). There are currently 2,462 recorded fatalities, including whistleblowing ophthalmologist Li Wenliang.

The AAO has recommended protection for the mouth, nose – and eyes – when caring for potentially infected patients.

As of February 23, there were 78,811 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, with 1,769 of these outside of China, and the total death toll stands at 2,462.

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. Cheng-wei Lu et al., “2019-nCoV transmission through the ocular surface must not be ignored”, The Lancet, (2013). Available at: bit.ly/2UK0LRL
  2. AAO, “Alert: Important coronavirus context for ophthalmologists”, (2020). Available at: https://bit.ly/39ukbON
  3. World Health Organization, "Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV)". Available at: https://bit.ly/2T8IcUV
  4. E Mahase, "Coronavirus covid-19 has killed more people than SARS and MERS combined, despite lower case fatality rate", BMJ, 368 (2020). PMID: 32071063.
About the Author
Lauren Robertson

Deputy Editor at The Ophthalmologist.

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: