Role of the Eye in Transmitting Human Coronavirus

What We Know and What We Do Not Know

Bibliographic Data

ID22068063
AuthorsChuan-bin Sun (Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University), Yue-ye Wang (Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University), Geng-hao Liu (Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University), Zhe Liu (0000-0003-2983-3471, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume8
Pages155-155
Publication date2020-04-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2020.00155
PMID32391309
OpenAlexW3010724494
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited46

The outbreak of the current 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, now named SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a worldwide health threat. Currently, more information is needed so as to further understand the transmission and clinical characteristics of 2019-nCoV infection and the infection control procedures required. Recently, the role of the eye in transmitting 2019-nCoV has been intensively discussed. Previous investigations of other highly infectious human CoVs, that is, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), may provide useful information. In this review, we describe the genomics and morphology of human CoVs, the epidemiology, systemic and ophthalmic manifestations, and mechanisms of human CoV infection, and recommendations for infection control procedures. The role of the eye in the transmission of 2019-nCoV is discussed in detail. Although the conjunctiva is directly exposed to extraocular pathogens, and the mucosa of the ocular surface and upper respiratory tract are connected by the nasolacrimal duct and share the same entry receptors for some respiratory viruses, the eye is rarely involved in human CoV infection, conjunctivitis is quite rare in patients with 2019-nCoV infection, and the CoV RNA positive rate by RT-PCR test in tears and conjunctival secretions from patients with 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV infection is also extremely low. This suggests that the eye is neither a preferred organ of human CoV infection nor a preferred gateway of entry for human CoVs for infecting the respiratory tract. However, pathogens that the ocular surface is exposed to might be transported to nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa by constant tear rinsing through the lacrimal duct system and then cause respiratory tract infection. Considering that close doctor-patient contact is quite common in ophthalmic practice and is apt to transmit human CoVs by droplets and fomites, strict hand hygiene and proper personal protection are highly recommended for health care workers to avoid hospital-related viral transmission during ophthalmic practice

Biology · Conjunctiva · Coronavirus · Disease · Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus · Outbreak · Pandemic · Pathology · Respiratory system · Respiratory tract · Respiratory tract infections · Tears · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Retinal and Optic Conditions · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · Immunology · Internal Medicine · Virology

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