key: cord-282420-0fcyjw7l
authors: Lu, Cheng-wei; Liu, Xiu-fen; Jia, Zhi-fang
title: 2019-nCoV transmission through the ocular surface must not be ignored
date: 2020-02-06
journal: Lancet
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30313-5
sha: 
doc_id: 282420
cord_uid: 0fcyjw7l

nan

On Jan 22, Guangfa Wang, a member of the national expert panel on pneumonia, reported that he was infected by 2019nCoV during the inspection in Wuhan. 2 He wore an N95 mask but did not wear anything to protect his eyes. Several days before the onset of pneumonia, Wang complained of redness of the eyes. Unprotected exposure of the eyes to 2019nCoV in the Wuhan Fever Clinic might have allowed the virus to infect the body. 2 Infectious droplets and body fluids can easily contaminate the human conjunctival epithelium. 3 Respiratory viruses are capable of inducing ocular complications in infected patients, which then leads to respiratory infection. 4 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARSCoV) is predominantly transmitted through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes in the eyes, mouth, or nose. 5 The fact that exposed mucous membranes and unprotected eyes increased the risk of SARSCoV transmission 4 suggests that exposure of unprotected eyes to 2019nCoV could cause acute respiratory infection.

Thus, Huang and colleagues 1 should have analysed conjunctival scrapings from both confirmed and suspected 2019nCoV cases during the onset of symptoms. The respiratory tract is probably not the only transmission route for 2019nCoV, and all ophthalmologists examining suspected cases should wear protective eyewear.

We declare no competing interests. *Cheng-wei Lu, Xiu-fen Liu, Zhi-fang Jia

Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China

Peking University Hospital Wang Guangfa disclosed treatment status on Weibo and suspected infection without wearing goggles

Avian influenza and sialic acid receptors: more than meets the eye?

Ocular tropism of respiratory viruses

The severe acute respiratory syndrome