How respiratory viruses affect the eye
25 May 2023
Acuity digital
It is rare for respiratory viruses to cause eye infections, writes Kim Thomas, but they may use the eye as a portal of entry. And what is the mechanism behind their travel to the respiratory system?
Respiratory viruses are typically transmitted in one of two ways. Flu, for example, is transmitted when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks, emitting droplets or aerosols that land in the nose or mouth of a nearby person. Conversely, adenovirus spreads when someone touches an infected object (a fomite) and then touches their nose, mouth or eye. In both cases, once the virus reaches the nasopharynx (the back of the throat), it replicates very quickly, and then spreads to the lungs and gut.
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Related further reading
As society continues to open up, the Optometry in Practice editorial board thought it opportune to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic to date and assess the impact on both eyecare professionals and our patients.
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There will be some changes to the guidance on the wearing of face masks for clinicians in Scotland.