Preliminary Evidence Shows Eyeglasses May Offer Some Protection from COVID-19

A small Chinese study showed that among those hospitalized with COVID-19, the percentage of those who wore eyeglasses for more than 8 hours per day was less (5.8%) than the rate of myopia in the general population (31.5%). The authors assert that this may mean eyeglass wearers are less likely to develop COVID-19 infection. It is well known that the novel coronavirus can be spread through the eyes; however, public health officials are not recommending that everyone begin wearing face shields or faux eyeglasses. The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, has significant limitations, including a small study sample and its conduction at the start of the pandemic before most people were wearing masks and being vigilant about hand hygiene. Read more here.