Retina Health Center, Fort Myers.
Murray Ocular Oncology and Retina, Miami, Florida, USA.
Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2020 Nov;31(6):538-548. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000711.
This review provides a historic perspective of the impact that major pandemics have had on human and their relationship with ophthalmology. The novel coronavirus epidemic is also analyzed, highlighting the relevance of the eye as a possible source of transmission, infection, and prognosis for the disease.
Smallpox is suspected to be present for more than 12 000 years. However, trachoma seems to be the first recorded ophthalmological infectious disease. The deadliest pandemics include the bubonic plague, smallpox, and Spanish flu. The CoVID-19 epidemic is still developing and measures need to be implemented to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Understanding the current facts in light of earlier historical evidence may help us prepare better to minimize the spread of infections in the future.
本文回顾了重大传染病对人类及其与眼科学关系的影响，并分析了新型冠状病毒疫情，强调了眼睛作为可能的传播、感染和疾病预后来源的相关性。
天花的历史可能超过 12000 年。然而，沙眼似乎是有记录以来的第一种眼科传染病。最致命的大流行包括黑死病、天花和西班牙流感。新型冠状病毒疫情仍在发展，需要采取措施防止危机进一步升级。
了解当前的事实，并结合早期的历史证据，可能有助于我们更好地为未来的感染传播做好准备。
