KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal.
JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2021 Jan 31;59(233):108-110. doi: 10.31729/jnma.5634.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 pandemic has infected millions of people. The conjunctival epithelium is easily exposed to infectious droplets and body fluids making eyes a potential route and reservoir of the infection. The CD147 and ACE2 receptor has been demonstrated in ocular surface cells, which implies that these cells may facilitate as a portal of entry for transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Despite low viral load in tears and conjunctival swab, the negative RT-PCR results cannot exclude the possibility of the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in ocular secretions. Pathogens might be transported by constant tear flow through the lacrimal duct system to the respiratory tract causing infection. Eyes are unlikely to be the main transmission route, however, their role in the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 cannot be overlooked. Therefore, proper eye protection should be instituted while attending Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 positive individuals, especially by health professionals.
严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 大流行已感染数百万人。结膜上皮容易暴露于感染性飞沫和体液中，使眼睛成为感染的潜在途径和储库。眼表细胞中已经证实存在 CD147 和 ACE2 受体，这意味着这些细胞可能有助于成为严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 传播的入口。尽管泪液和结膜拭子中的病毒载量较低，但阴性 RT-PCR 结果不能排除眼部分泌物中存在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 的可能性。病原体可能通过不断的泪液流通过泪道系统运输到呼吸道引起感染。眼睛不太可能是主要的传播途径，但是它们在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 的传播中的作用不容忽视。因此，在照顾严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 阳性个体时，应适当进行眼部保护，特别是卫生专业人员。
