Eyeglasses and risk of COVID-19 transmission-analysis of the Virus Watch Community Cohort study.
Communicable disease
Infection control
Public health
Respiratory tract infections
Journal
International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
ISSN: 1878-3511
Titre abrégé: Int J Infect Dis
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 9610933
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
25 Nov 2023
25 Nov 2023
Historique:
received:
25
08
2023
revised:
20
10
2023
accepted:
27
10
2023
pubmed:
27
11
2023
medline:
27
11
2023
entrez:
26
11
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
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.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38008351
pii: S1201-9712(23)00759-2
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.021
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
28-33Investigateurs
Susan Michie
(S)
Pia Hardelid
(P)
Linda Wijlaars
(L)
Eleni Nastouli
(E)
Moira Spyer
(M)
Ben Killingley
(B)
Ingemar Cox
(I)
Vasileios Lampos
(V)
Rachel A McKendry
(RA)
Tao Cheng
(T)
Yunzhe Liu
(Y)
Jo Gibbs
(J)
Richard Gilson
(R)
Alison Rogers
(A)
Anne M Johnson
(AM)
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interests ACH serves on the UK New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. AMJ was a Governor of Wellcome Trust from 2011-2018 and is Chair of the Committee for Strategic Coordination for Health of the Public Research.