The possibility of COVID‐19 transmission from eye to nose

• DOI: 10.1111/aos.14412
• Publication Date: 2020-03-19T05:23:53Z
• Authors: Huiling Qing; Zhijie Li; Zhengwei Yang; Menghai Shi; Zixu Huang; Jinghui Song; Zongming Song
• Keywords: Nucleic acid test; Pandemic; Coronavirus; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is not only spreading throughout China but has reached more than 20 countries and already posed threats to global health economy. So far, number of people infected in climbed 70 000. Of them, at least 3019 healthcare workers have been infected. However, specific causes infection among hospital environments are unclear. It confirmed that COVID-19 mainly transmitted through both droplets direct contact. Aerosols another possible transmission route requiring attention. In February 2020, a report Lancet raised issue ocular surfaces may be potential target for SARS-CoV-2 invasion (Lu et al. 2020). two recent studies do fully support this assumption (Li 2020; Zhou unpublished paper). reason although small patients conjunctivitis, all them show positive test nucleic acid conjunctival sac swabs. addition, some did conjunctivitis despite results their conjunctiva swabs (Dr. Yanping Song from Wuhan City, China, outbreak area Interestingly, medical history clinical physicians with revealed neither used eye goggles when examining (physician 1) intubating (a high-risk procedure produce aerosol) 2). Studies that, like (SARS-CoV) SARS, binds human angiotensin-enzyme II (ACE2), using it as cell entry receptor invade lung epithelium spike (S) protein (Zhou al., 2020a,2020b). ACE2 expressed posterior tissues eye, such retina retinal pigment epithelium, corneal (Choudhary 2017). We presume these previous ignored characteristics lacrimal drainage. Tears constantly renewed system. Therefore, we speculate virus enters tears droplets, which pass nasolacrimal ducts then into tract. Combined information, assert coming contact or suspected cases COVID-19, should wear safety goggles. This become one critical measures preventing spread COVID-19. authors hope topic helpful work area.