New Research Reassures & Advises Contact Lens Wearers During Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic; Offers Clear Facts and Hygiene Advice
PR83643
WATERLOO, Ontario, Apr. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--
-- Peer-Reviewed Paper by Prominent Scientists Reinforces Need for Hand
Washing, Warns that Wearing Glasses / Spectacles Does Not Reduce Risk of
Infection
Moving swiftly to address and correct harmful myths and misinformation, a new
peer-reviewed paper from five of the world's most prominent ocular scientists
reassures contact lens wearers during the global COVID-19 / coronavirus
pandemic. Published in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, "The COVID-19 Pandemic:
Important Considerations for Contact Lens Practitioners" (
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1367048420300552 ) offers
five important facts (
) for anyone who relies on contact lenses or eyeglasses / spectacles:
Photo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1153965/CORE_Contact_Lens_Infographic.jpg
1. You Can Keep Wearing Contact Lenses. There is currently no scientific
evidence that contact lens wearers have an increased risk of
contracting COVID-19 compared with glasses / spectacles wearers.
Consult your eye care practitioner with questions.
2. Good Hygiene Habits are Critical. Thorough handwashing and drying
are essential, as well as properly wearing and caring for contact
lenses, ensuring good contact lens case hygiene, and regularly
cleaning glasses / spectacles with soap and water. These habits can
help you stay healthy and out of your doctor's office or hospital.
3. Regular Eyeglasses / Spectacles Do Not Provide Protection. No
scientific evidence supports rumors that everyday eyeglasses /
spectacles offer protection against COVID-19.
4. Keep Unwashed Hands Away from Your Face. Whether you wear contact
lenses, glasses / spectacles or require no vision correction at all,
avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands,
consistent with World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
5. If You Are Sick, Temporarily Stop Wearing Contact Lenses. Contact
lens wearers who are ill should temporarily revert to wearing
eyeglasses / spectacles. You can resume use with fresh, new contact
lenses and lens cases once you return to full health and have spoken
with your eye care practitioner.
On April 8, the CDC issued updated guidance on contact lens wear (
) during the COVID-19 pandemic, further supporting key findings from the
Contact Lens & Anterior Eye paper. The CDC also points out that personal
eyeglasses and contact lenses do not qualify as personal protective equipment (
) (PPE).
"Millions of people are asking how COVID-19 affects eye care, especially since
approximately two out of every three adults worldwide wear contact lenses,
spectacles or eyeglasses. Unfortunately, misinformation has become widespread
in recent days. Our goal is to make sure that science-backed truths are
understood and shared, replacing fear with fact," said Dr. Lyndon Jones (
), director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the
University of Waterloo (
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2774526-1&h=70545390&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcore.uwaterloo.ca%2F&a=Centre+for+Ocular+Research+%26+Education+(CORE)+at+the+University+of+Waterloo
) (Ontario, Canada) and the paper's lead author. "Our findings indicate that
contact lenses remain a perfectly acceptable form of vision correction during
the coronavirus pandemic, as long as people practice good hand hygiene and
follow appropriate wear-and-care directions."
The complete paper incorporates findings from more than 100 referenced sources.
It delves into multiple aspects of ocular health amidst the pandemic, including
practical advice for eye care professionals. The paper and other resources for
good wear and care can be downloaded from COVIDEyeFacts.org (
).
This new research-based review complements and significantly expands on CORE
advisories regarding handwashing and safe contact lens wear (
) issued in mid-March 2020.
Dr. Jones is a preeminent authority on eye care, having authored more than 400
refereed and professional papers and delivered more than 1,000 lectures
worldwide in over 40 countries. In 2019, he was named by Expertscape as the
most published expert in the field of contact lens research (
).
Joining him to author the COVID-19 paper were four globally respected
researchers, educators and clinicians: Dr. Karen Walsh (
), professional education team leader and clinical scientist at CORE, Dr. Mark
Willcox (
), director of research at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW
(Sydney), Dr. Philip Morgan (
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2774526-1&h=3366011363&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.research.manchester.ac.uk%2Fportal%2Fen%2Fresearchers%2Fphilip-morgan(b6d413e9-2416-43b3-8bbe-db7629b0c191).html&a=Dr.+Philip+Morgan
), director of Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester (United
Kingdom), and Dr. Jason Nichols (
), associate vice president for research and Professor at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (United States) and editor-in-chief
of Contact Lens Spectrum.
About CORE
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) (
) was established in 1988 at the University of Waterloo's School of Optometry &
Vision Science (
). Over the next three decades, the organization evolved from a three-person
operation into a thriving hub of basic and applied research, collaborating with
sponsors, agencies and academia on advanced biosciences, clinical research and
education. Its uncompromising independence and results of the highest quality
have been at the heart of many of the most prominent advances in eye health.
Today, its 50-person team serves a range of ophthalmic sectors, including
medical devices, ocular pharmaceuticals, digital technology and others, with a
focus on the anterior segment. For more information, please visit
core.uwaterloo.ca.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Aimee J. Lewis
McDougall Communications for CORE
aimee@mcdougallpr.com
+1-585-414-9838 (mobile)
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA
McDougall Communications for CORE
mike@mcdougallpr.com or
+1-585-545-1815 (mobile)
SOURCE: Centre for Ocular Research & Education
本プレスリリースは発表元が入力した原稿をそのまま掲載しております。また、プレスリリースへのお問い合わせは発表元に直接お願いいたします。
このプレスリリースには、報道機関向けの情報があります。
プレス会員登録を行うと、広報担当者の連絡先や、イベント・記者会見の情報など、報道機関だけに公開する情報が閲覧できるようになります。
