The Majority of the Worlds Population now wears spectacles and for diverse reasons too. Whiles the advent of technology such as Lasik and Contact lenses have cause some to leave their spectacles, it is and has always been one the best options in correcting refractive errors, presbyopia and other ocular conditions that affected vision. But are we advocating that people patronize their spectacles now more than ever? Why there are many myths that surround the use of spectacles such as it making your vision permanently bad etc all of which are not true and will be dealt with later in subsequent articles lets take a look at how your spectacles may just save you from a COVID19 infection.
The most common means or well understood mode of transmission for the virus is via the mouth, nose, eyes and even the ear. All these passage ways have a connection to throat and the airway into the lungs which is where the virus prefers to reside and proliferate, causing fibrosis and respiratory depression in the long run. Now the campaign message been propagated admonishes us to use nose masks which basically protect our mouth and nasal passage ways and also keeps us from touching some part of our face should there be a virus on our hands before sanitization and we happen to touch our face but then what about our eyes? One thing that is difficult to ignore is an itch and the most common way the eye tells us something is wrong is by reacting to cause itching which we most respond by rubbing the eye etc. Once an infected hand gets in contact with the eye the virus can easily get to the throat through the punctum and small hole at the part of the lower lid closer to the nose.
To be able to avoid touching the eye on impulse we would need to be extremely conscious all the time or we could have another option, Wear our spectacles. Before one would move or remove the spectacles to be able to touch or rub the eyes he or she would have remembered that they are to avoid touching the eye and may end up sanitizing the hand before touching it. Then also it serves a personal protection equipment if you have you nose mask on in addition, it takes away the probability of virus moving from one person straight into your eye during conversation. Another advantage is that it can easily be sanitized after every day use not forgetting it is giving you a better vision for those that may have refractive errors, in addition to protecting you from ultraviolet rays which contribute to cataract formation, macular degeneration and other ocular conditions.
My Vision is Good Can I Still get a Spectacle?
The Answer is Yes you can, your Optometrist would assess your vision to be sure it is as good as you claim, if you do not require correction plano photochromic lenses may be prescribe to also protect you from the harmful effects of ultra-violet rays and computer vision syndrome if you happen to be in regular contact with electronic devices or use them often. Leave a comment if you have any concerns about wearing your spectacles amidst the pandemic, you may reach out to us on discord 