Two published reports and a more recent news article suggest the virus can cause conjunctivitis. Thus, it is possible that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by aerosol contact with the conjunctiva
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In a
Journal of Medical Virology study
of 30 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in China, 1 had conjunctivitis. That patient had SARS-CoV-2 in their ocular secretions, which suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the conjunctiva and cause conjunctivitis.
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In a
story just out from CNN
, a registered nurse in a nursing home reported that red eye was a common early sign in elderly patients who then became sick with COVID-19.
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Several reports suggest the virus can cause a mild follicular conjunctivitis otherwise indistinguishable from other viral causes, and possibly be transmitted by aerosol contact with conjunctiva.
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Patients who present to ophthalmologists for conjunctivitis who also have fever and respiratory symptoms could represent cases of COVID-19.
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The virus that causes COVID-19 is very likely susceptible to the same alcohol- and bleach-based disinfectants that ophthalmologists commonly use to disinfect ophthalmic instruments and office furniture.
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