Risk of COVID-19 among Spectacles Wearing Population of Northern India
Published: May 1, 2021 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2021/48079.14899
Amit Kumar Saxena
1. Senior Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, NPCB Center, Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Amit Kumar Saxena,
NPCB Center, Department of Health, Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, India.
E-mail: dr.amit.ophth07@gmail.com
Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread mainly through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Long-term use of spectacles may prevent repeated touching and rubbing of the eyes.
Aim: To know the association between infection with SARSCoV-2 and spectacles wearers.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 304 patients of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID19) were selected. Their spectacles wearing behaviour were assessed through a questionnaire. Spectacles wearing behaviour of general population were obtained from older studies (for comparison). Risk of COVID-19 was calculated in long-term spectacles wearers as well as in persons not using spectacles. Chi-Square test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: In this study, total 58 patients showed the behaviour of using spectacles continuously during day time and always on outdoor activities. The risk of COVID-19 was found 0.48 in spectacles wearing population as compared to 1.35 in population not using spectacles. The calculated Risk Ratio (RR) was 0.36. It indicates that the risk of COVID-19 was 2-3 times less in spectacles wearing population than the population not using spectacles. The protective effectiveness of the spectacles was found to be statistically significant (p-value=0.00113).
Conclusion: The present study showed that the risk of COVID19 was about 2-3 times less in spectacles wearing population than the population not wearing those. The nasolacrimal duct may be a route of virus transmission from conjunctival sac to the nasopharynx.
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