COVID-19 Resources

Useful links , references and other resources on COVID-19 and contact lenses

The effects of the global outbreak of the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 continue to be felt around the world. The following useful links , references and other resources on COVID-19 and contact lenses will keep you up to date with the latest developments.

COVID-19 Update

Access our archive of COVID-19 Updates

Position Statement

Read IACLE’s Position Statement on the COVID-19 pandemic and contact lens use (in English, Spanish and Chinese)

Useful Links – General

World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The Lancet:
https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/COVID19/

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, Coronavirus Resource Center
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

NHS England Guidance for Clinicians and NHS Managers: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/

Our World in Data – The COVID-19 Pandemic Slide Deck
https://ourworldindata.org

Useful Links – Contact Lenses

CDC Hand hygiene in health care settings
https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/index.html

CDC Guidance for Contact Lens Wearers:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#How-to-Protect-Yourself

American Optometric Association:
https://www.aoa.org/coronavirus

American Academy of Ophthalmology:
https://www.aao.org/headline/alert-important-coronavirus-context

AAO, AOA, CLMA, GPLI factsheet on ‘In-office disinfection of multi-patient use diagnostic contact lenses’
https://iacle.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2020/06/aao-008-disinfection-of-contact-lenses-chart.pdf

References

Manrong Yu, Lingli Jiang, Minjie Chen. Effect of atropine 0.01% on myopia control in children aged 6–13 years during the 2022 lockdown in Shanghai. Public Health, 26 January 2023. Children and Health. Volume 11 – 2023 doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1074272
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Uwimana A , Ma C, Ma X. Concurrent Rising of Dry Eye and Eye Strain Symptoms Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Cross-Sectional Study. Dovepress 7 December 2022 Volume 2022:15 Pages 2311—2322 doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S388331
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Atle Fretheim, Ingeborg Hess Elgersma, Arnfinn Helleve. Effect of Wearing Glasses on Risk of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in the Community. A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(12):e2244495. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.44495
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Jakkrit Juhong, Auemphon Mordmuang, Juntamanee Jewboonchu, Lunla Udomwech. Effectiveness of an online educational video intervention to improve the knowledge and behavior of contact lens care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-test/post-test design. Open Access published: October 10, 022 doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11009
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Judith M. J Veugen, Rudy M. M. A. Nuijts, Frank J. H. M. van den Biggelaar, Marlies Gijs, Paul H. M. Savelkoul, Petra F. G. Wolffs, Mor M. Dickman. Effectiveness of Commonly Used Contact Lens Disinfectants Against SARS-CoV-2. Eye Contact Lens. 2022 Sep; 48(9): 362–368. Published online 2022 Aug 17. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000925
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T Kohmarn, N Srisurattanamethakul, A Watcharapalakorn, T Poyomtip, C Poolsanam. Outbreak of COVID-19-Related Myopia Progression in Adults: A Preliminary Study. Dovepress, 4 August 2022 Volume 2022:14 Pages 125—131. doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S374155
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M Nagra, N Retallic, S A Naroo. The impact of COVID-19 on soft contact lens wear in established European and US markets. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, May 23, 2022. doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2022.101718
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S K Karthikeyana, P Nandagopal, V Suganthan, A Nayaka. Challenges and impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Indian optometry practice: A survey-based study. Journal of Optometry, Volume 15, Issue 2, April–June 2022, Pages 145-153
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F Lin, Y Cai, X Fei, Y Wang, M Zhou, Y Liu. Prevalence of dry eye disease among Chinese high school students during the COVID-19 outbreak. BMC Ophthalmology volume 22, Article number: 190 (2022) published: 26 April 2022
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C L Nogueira, S J Boegel, M Shukla, W Ngo, L Jones, M G Aucoin1. Antiviral Activity of Contemporary Contact Lens Care Solutions against Two Human Seasonal Coronavirus Strains. Pathogens 2022, 11(4), 472. 2022 Apr 15. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11040472
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Z Kolkedi, A Csutak, E Szalai. Analysis of microvascular and neurodegenerative complications of mild COVID-19. Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology volume 260, pages2687–2693 (2022) published 19 March 2022
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I Motozumi, Itoi Motohiro. Management of Keratoconus with Corneal Rigid Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses. Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice March 2022 – Volume 48 – Issue 3 – p 110-114. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000876
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Roan, Vivian D, Sun, Kristie J, Valentim, Carolina C S, Bheemidi, Abhinav R, Iyer, Amogh, Singh, Rishi P, Talcott, Katherine E. Patient Satisfaction in the Era of COVID-19: Virtual Visit versus In-person Visit Satisfaction. Optometry and Vision Science. February 2022 – Volume 99 – Issue 2 – p 190-194. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001843
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Martinez-Perez C, Monteiro B, Soares M, Portugues F, Matos S, Ferreira A, Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina, Ángel Sánchez-Tena M. Influence of Face Masks on the Use of Contact Lenses. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7407; doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147407
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Roan, Vivian D, Sun, Kristie J, Valentim, Carolina C S, Bheemidi, Abhinav R, Iyer, Amogh, Singh, Rishi P, Talcott, Katherine E. Patient Satisfaction in the Era of COVID-19: Virtual Visit versus In-person Visit Satisfaction. Optometry and Vision Science: February 2022 – Volume 99 – Issue 2 – p 190-194
doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001843
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Alexander AG, Davey CJ. A prospective evaluation of the clinical safety and effectiveness of a COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service across five areas in England. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 10 November 2021 doi.org/10.1111/opo.12916
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Galindo-Romero C, Ruiz-Porras A, García-Ayuso D, Pierdomenico J, Sobrado-Calvo P, Valiente-Soriano F. Computer Vision Syndrome in the Spanish Population during the COVID-19 Lockdown. Optometry and Vision Science November 2021 – Volume 98 – Issue 11 – p 1255-1262. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001794
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Zhang X, Cheung S L, Chan H N, Zhang Y, Wang Y M, Benjamin H, Kam W, Yu M, Young A L, Kwan M Y W, Ip P, Chong K L, Clement C, Tham, Chen J, Pang C P, Yam J C S. Myopia incidence and lifestyle changes among school children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based prospective study. British Journal of Ophthalmology.
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Saldanha I J, Petris R, Makara M, Channa P, Akpeke E K. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eye strain and dry eye symptoms. The Ocular Surface Volume 22, October 2021, Pages 38-46 DOI.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2021.06.004
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Kalaiselvan P, Tummanapalli S S, Vijay A K, Bahl P, MacIntyre C R, Willcox M D P. The ability of face masks to reduce transmission of microbes. Clinical and Experimental Optometry volume 105, 2022 – Issue 2: Ocular implications of systemic disease. Pages 214-221 | Received 22 Jun 2021, Accepted 13 Aug 2021, Published online: 30 Sep 2021 doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2021.1971050
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Zhang X, Cheung S S L, Chan H, et al. Myopia incidence and lifestyle changes among school children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based prospective study. British Journal of Ophthalmology. Published on 02 August 2021. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319307
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Prescott C. Increased Screen Time and Dry Eye: Another Complication of COVID-19. Eye and Contact Lens. Published on August 2021 DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000820
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Erdinest N, London N, Levinger N, Lavy I, Pras E, Morad Y. Decreased effectiveness of 0.01% atropine treatment for myopia control during prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. Published July 5 2021. DOI:org/10.1016/j.clae.2021.101475
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Sehgal S, Shinde L, Madheswaran G, Mukherjee P, Verkicharla P, Easwaran S, Bandamwar K. Impact of COVID-19 on Indian optometrists. A student, educator, and practitioner‘s perspective. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. April 2021 – Volume 69 – Issue 4 – p 958-963
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_3386_20
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Genis Cardona G, Alonso S, Busquets A. Patient – practitioner communication and contact lens compliance during a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. Published March 02, 2021 DOI:org/10.1016/j.clae.2021.02.019
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Nagra M, Allen P A, Norgett Y, Beukes E, Bowen M, Vianya‐Estopa M. The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on working practices of UK primary care optometrists. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. Published on 2 February 2021 DOI.org/10.1111/opo.12786
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Ansari E, Patel M, Harle D. Acute community ophthalmology services provided by independent prescribing optometrists supporting hospital eye services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Journal of Optometry. Available online 31 January 2021 DOI.org/10.1016/j.optom.2021.01.002
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Bakkar M M, Alzghoul E A. Assessment of contact lens wearers’ attitude toward contact lens wear and care during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: A cross-sectional online survey. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. Published online January 14, 2021.
DOI:10.1016/j.clae.2021.01.005
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Vianya-Estopa M, Garcia-Porta N, Piñero D P, Simo Mannion L, Beukes E W, Wolffsohn J S, Allen P M. Contact lens wear and care in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Lens Anterior Eye. 2020 Nov 11 : 101381. DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.11.001
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Jackson J, Silvestri G, Stevenson M, Sinton J, Witherow J, McCann R, Moutray T and Cushley L. COVID-19: The regional impact of COVID-19 on the certification of vision impairment in Northern Ireland. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020 Nov 9. DOI: 10.1111/opo.12757. Online ahead of print.
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Zeng W, Wang X, Li J, Yang Y, Qiu X, Song P, Xu J and Wei Y. Association of daily wear of eyeglasses with susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 infection. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online September 16, 2020. DOI:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3906.
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Maragakis L L. Eye protection and the risk of coronavirus disease 2019: does wearing eye protection mitigate risk in public, non-health care settings. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online September 16, 2020. DOI:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3909.
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Vianya-Estopa M, Wolffsohn J S, Beukes E, Trott M, Smith L, Allen P M. Soft contact lens wearers’ compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cont Lens Anterior Eye published 2020 August 14. DOI:10.1016/j.clae.2020.08.003 [Epub ahead of print].
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García-Ayuso D, Escámez-Torrecilla M, Galindo-Romero C, Valiente-Soriano F J, Moya-Rodríguez E, Sobrado-Calvo P, Di Pierdomenico J. Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens wear in Spain. Contact Lens Anterior Eye 2020 July 17. DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.07.002 [Epub ahead of print].
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Moshirfar M, West W B, Marx D P. Face mask-associated ocular irritation and dryness. Ophthalmology & Therapy 2020;9:397-400.
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Chatziralli I, Ventura C V, Touhami S, Reynolds R, Nassisi M, Weinberg T, Pakzad-Vaezi K, Anaya D, Mustapha M, Plant A, Yuan M, Lowenstein A. Transforming ophthalmic education into virtual learning during COVID-19 pandemic: a global perspective. Eye 2020 July 10. DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-1080-0 [Epub ahead of print].
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Lawrenson J G & Buckley R J. COVID-19 and the eye. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020; 40:383-388.
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Special issue of Eye on COVID-19 (34:7 July 2020)
Comments, reviews and original articles on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the eye.
Access the issue

Rajhans V, Memon U, Patil V, Goyal A. Impact of COVID-19 on academic activities and way forward in Indian Optometry. Journal of Optometry, 2020 June 13 DOI.org/10.1016/j.optom.2020.06.002.
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Lupelli L. Evidence-based Contact Lenses Practice in Times of Sars-CoV-2 Pandemic. Rivista Italiana di Optometria Online. Published June 8th, 2020.
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Read the full Italian text

Vidyut Rajhans, Usman Memon, Vidula Patil, Adity Goyal. Impact of COVID-19 on academic activities and way forward in Indian Optometry. Journal of Optometry 2020; 13-4 216-226.
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Poostchi A, Kuet M-L, Pegg K, Wilde C, Richardson P S, Patel M K. Efficacy of slit amp breath shields. Eye 2020 May 12. DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-0940-y [Epub ahead of print].
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Cho P and Boost M. COVID-19: an eye on the virus. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020; 43:4 313-314.
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Docherty A B, Harrison E M, Green C A et al on behalf of the ISARIC4C investigators. Features of 20133 UK patients in hospital with covid-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol: prospective observational cohort study. BMJ 2020 May 22; 369:m1985. DOI: 10.1136/ bmj.m1985. [Epub ahead of print].
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Willcox M D, Walsh K, Nichols J J, Morgan P B and Jones L W. Clin Exp Optom 2020; 103 418-424.
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McMonnies C W. Diagnosis and remediation of blink inefficiency. Cont Lens Anterior Eye, 2020 April 27.
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Sun C-B, Wang Y-Y, Liu G-H and Liu Z. Role of the eye in transmitting human coronavirus: what we know and what we don’t know. Front Public Health 2020 April 24;8:155. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00155.
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Zeri F and Naroo SA. Contact lens practice in the time of COVID-19. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 193-195.
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Jones L, Walsh K, Willcox M. Morgan P and Nichold J. The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 196-203.
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Nagra M, Vianya-Estopa M and Wolffsohn J S. Could telehealth help eye care practitioners adapt contact lens services during the COVID-19 pandemic? Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 204-207.
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Pult H. COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey of future use of personal protective equipment in optometric practice. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 208-210.
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Morgan P B. Contact lens wear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 213.
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Orsborn G. The importance of information about contact lens wear during pandemic. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 214-215.
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Hamroush A, Qureshi M and Shah S. Increased risk of ocular injury seen during lockdown due to COVID-19. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;43:3 216.
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Lai T H T, Tang EWH, Chau S K Y, Fung K S C and Li K K W. Stepping up infection control measures in ophthalmology during the novel coronavirus outbreak: an experience from Hong Kong. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020;258:5 1049-1055.
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Fonn D and Jones L. Hand hygiene is linked to microbial keratitis and corneal inflammatory events. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020;42:2 132-135.
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Other Resources

Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

COVID-19 and contact lenses: the facts you need to know
https://core.uwaterloo.ca/covid-19/

Five facts contact lens and glasses wearers need to know and infographic in 20 languages
Press release on Jones et al paper in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye
Contact Lens Update COVID-19 Special Edition
Guide for Contact Lens Wearers infographic
Useful links for contact lens wearers and eye care practitioners
Mask associated dry eye (MADE) infographic

Contact Lens Spectrum

COVID-19 & Contact Lenses: Behind the Science, video interviewing the authors of the Jones et al paper in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye
https://www.clspectrum.com/videos/contact-lenses-covid-19-behind-the-science?eid=324760153&bid=2625228

Optician Online

Optician (and Contact Lens Spectrum) summarize the Contact Lens & Anterior Eye paper by Jones et al
https://www.opticianonline.net/news/key-considerations-for-contact-lens-practitioners-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Contact Lens Institute

The CDC message about safe contact lens wear and coronavirus disease https://www.contactlensinstitute.org/covid-19/

Euromcontact

Contact Lens Practice and COVID-19: 4 actions for you to minimise transmission and 4 key points for your patients (flashcard in 10 European languages)
https://euromcontact.org/2020/03/19/contact-lens-practice-and-covid-19-material-for-eye-care-professionals-in-case-they-need-to-fit-contact-lenses-in-context-of-covid-19/

British Contact Lens Association

BCLA Guidance Returning to Practice in COVID-19: use of gloves in contact lens practice

Contact lens wear and coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for eye care practitioners and consumers
https://www.bcla.org.uk/Public/Consumer/COVID-19–Coronavirus–Contact-Lens-Care-Guidance/Public/Consumer/Contact-Lens-Wear-and-Coronavirus-guidance.aspx?hkey=a6920621-8aa9-4488-8316-84421baee4c0

BCLA webinar: Contact lens practice in the time of COVID-19 by Dr Shehzad Naroo and Dr Fabrizio Zeri (19 May)
https://www.bcla.org.uk/Public/News/Press_Release/New-BCLA-webinar-to-examine-what-lockdown-means-for-your-practice.aspx

BCLA/Alcon PPE guidance and advice https://www.bcla.org.uk/Public/Public/Consumer/PPE-Equipment-Guidance-.aspx

BCLA #StopTheSteam campaign and infographic https://www.bcla.org.uk/Public/News/Press_Release/Stop-The-Steam-and-make-the-switch-to-contact-lenses.aspx

Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia

Position Statement: Contact lens Wear & COVID-19

https://www.cclsa.org.au/news-item/7885/cclsa-position-statement-released-safe-cl-wear-covid-19

Managing COVID-19 webinar
https://web.cvent.com/event/600e016c-86f8-44dc-b6d7-8630b9dd08cc/summary

A survey from Alcon, exploring the impact of COVID-19 on contact lens wear, has highlighted the “resiliency” of the contact lens segment as well as pointing to opportunities for eye care professionals (ECPs) to build patient loyalty and discuss new innovations.

Cardona et al recently conducted a survey-based study in Spain and reported poor compliance, particularly in terms of hand washing and storage case hygiene during lockdown. Hence, practitioners need to provide wearers with precise, detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. Access the study

A recent study published by Wang et al in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests an association between home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and a substantial myopic shift for young children aged 6-8. Read the journal

A new report outlines the challenges currently faced by optometry schools and describes strategies to minimize the risk of virus transmission to ensure safe clinical optometric teaching. Access the article