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Review
. 2021 Sep;105(9):1190-1195.
doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316263. Epub 2020 Aug 11.

SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface: is it truly a novel transmission route?

Xuhui Chen  1 , Huimin Yu  1 , Ting Mei  2 , Bo Chen  1 , Liwen Chen  1 , Shanling Li  2 , Xian Zhang  1 , Xufang Sun  3
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface: is it truly a novel transmission route?

Xuhui Chen et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Since December 2019, the novel COVID-19 outbreak has spread rapidly around the globe and infected millions of people. Although the major transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is considered to be airborne droplets and close contact, the ocular transmission route has been reported with great concern. The current work summarises the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, the ocular distribution of the major SARS-CoV-2 binding protein, and the experimental and clinical evidence of the ocular transmission route. Although it seems that the likelihood of the ocular surface being an infection gateway is low, SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission via the ocular surface may cause conjunctivitis and other ocular discomfort. Therefore, good eye protection is an essential safeguard procedure, especially for medical staff.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Microbiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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