Eyeglasses and risk of COVID-19 transmission-analysis of the Virus Watch Community Cohort study

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2024-02, Vol.139, p.28-33
• Main Authors: Navaratnam, Annalan M D, O'Callaghan, Christopher, Beale, Sarah, Nguyen, Vincent, Aryee, Anna, Braithwaite, Isobel, Byrne, Thomas E, Fong, Wing Lam Erica, Fragaszy, Ellen, Geismar, Cyril, Hoskins, Susan, Kovar, Jana, Patel, Parth, Shrotri, Madhumita, Weber, Sophie, Yavlinsky, Alexei, Aldridge, Robert W, Hayward, Andrew C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cohort Studies; Communicable disease; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Eyeglasses; Humans; Infection control; Prospective Studies; Public health; Respiratory tract infections; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.021

The importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via the eyes is unknown, with previous studies mainly focusing on protective eyewear in healthcare settings. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that wearing eyeglasses is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19. Participants from the Virus Watch prospective community cohort study responded to a questionnaire on the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Infection was confirmed through data linkage, self-reported positive results, and, for a subgroup, monthly capillary antibody testing. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, income, and occupation, were used to identify the odds of infection depending on frequency and purpose of eyeglasses or contact lenses use. A total of 19,166 participants responded to the questionnaire, with 13,681 (71.3%, CI 70.7-72.0) reporting they wore eyeglasses. Multivariable logistic regression model showed a 15% lower odds of infection for those who reported using eyeglasses always for general use (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% 0.77-0.95, P = 0.002) compared to those who never wore eyeglasses. The protective effect was reduced for those who said wearing eyeglasses interfered with mask-wearing and was absent for contact lens wearers. People who wear eyeglasses have a moderate reduction in risk of COVID-19 infection, highlighting that eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings.