Evaluating the Risk of Covid-19 Transmission from Conjunctival and Lacrimal Discharge: A Review

Abstract

The ocular surface, which is constantly exposed to the external environment, is one of the most sensitive zones and any complications which have a detrimental impact on it leading to re-duced vision and/or blindness, severely impact the quality of life. The most commonly afflicted parts of the eye are the conjunctiva, eyelid, and cornea due to their position. Since the eye is moder-ately susceptible to microbial infection from bacteria, fungi or even viruses;there has been much speculation about whether or not the novel coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to ocular disor-ders. Given the high rate of transmission for this disease, it is of great importance to evaluate the risk of disease communication from the eye, such as by conjunctival and/ lacrimal discharge. While there are many articles on the topic exploring the ocular aspect of COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2 infection;there is a significant volume of data that may or may-not seem contradictory at first glance. This is primarily due to the still-emerging nature of this disease and new data that is being unearthed every day. The problem is compounded by the fact that despite the over-all concordance, the different clinical teams have varying diagnostic criteria. This review attempts to consolidate the data available thus far regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission from conjunctival/lacrimal discharge apart from the known modes of transmission, thereby allowing us to speculate whether additional protective measures are required to combat the zoonotic coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging the world.