WATERLOO, Ontario, May 20, 2020—“The ocular surface, coronaviruses and COVID-19,” an extensive literature review now published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry, considers a number of questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the ocular surface. In a complex and fast-moving subject area, the paper provides a timely and useful overview of the current evidence base, along with its relevance for clinical practice.
The authors suggest it is possible coronaviruses may not bind to ocular surface cells and initiate infection. Additionally, hypotheses that the virus could travel from the nasopharynx or through the conjunctival capillaries to the ocular surface during infection are examined.
Published May 13, the paper is available at no charge to researchers, ECPs and other health care professionals via open access at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cxo.13088.
The review is written by Mark Willcox, DSc, director of research at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW (Sydney), Karen Walsh, MCOptom, professional education team leader and clinical scientist at the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, Jason Nichols, OD, associate vice president for research and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, Philip Morgan, PhD, director of Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester, and Lyndon Jones, DSc, director of CORE.
It follows publication of the five authors’ widely read paper in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, “The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners.”
HOW TO CITE
Willcox, M.D., Walsh, K., Nichols, J.J., Morgan, P.B. and Jones, L.W. (2020), The ocular surface, coronaviruses and COVID‐19. Clin Exp Optom. doi:10.1111/cxo.13088
MEDIA CONTACT
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA
McDougall Communications for CORE
mike@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-545-1815 (mobile)