Prosthetic Eye and Covid-19

Prosthetic Eye users may need to take extra precaution when handling their Prosthetic Eyes.

Source: DOH Beat Covid-19 today: A Covid-19 Philippine Situationer, Issue 11, May 08, 2020

​Almost all the countries in the world has been caught off-guard with one of the most infectious Viruses in history. Many economies have shut down, including the Philippines.
In fact, as of May 7, 2020, the Philippine's Department of Health has recorded a total of 10,343 cases nationwide, a 339 increase from the day prior, where 8,040 of them are considered as active cases. 

So, what does this mean for a person who uses a Prosthetic Eye, or an Artificial Eye?
With this data, a person who mishandles using an Artificial Eye in the Philippines may be at risk of transmitting or getting the virus. Here is why:

The virus may be Transmitted/Acquired via the Nose, Mouth, and through the Eyes.

​The current understanding of how the Covid-19 works is mostly based on how most coronavirus works. It is believed to spread from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person, for example, when they sneeze or when they cough. 

Also, the virus may live on surfaces for hours. It may be transmitted to a healthy person when they touch a contaminated surface, followed by touching their face, particularly on one's Nose, Mouth, or Eyes. This is why the CDC and WHO recommend diligently washing and disinfecting a person's hands with Anti-Bacterial Soap or Alcohol.

How does this affect a person using a Prosthetic Eye or an Artificial Eye?

​There will be times that a person who is using an Artificial Eye may need to remove their Prosthesis. Especially when they need to adjust their prosthetic eye or if it is time for their routinely cleaning. 
This mishandling may be risky for a person if they do not correctly clean both their Prosthetic Eye and their hands. 

What can we do?

​CDC and WHO have recommended of diligently disinfecting our hands to avoid any human-to-human transfer through the hands. Therefore, during the cleaning of the Prosthetic Eye, a patient should wash their hands with an anti-bacterial soap before and after handling their Prosthetic Eye.

When it comes to cleaning the Prosthetic eye, an anti-bacterial soap may also be used to disinfect the Prosthesis. Another good way to disinfect a Prosthetic Eye is via soaking it in a Contact Lens solution, particularly a Hydrogen Peroxide based solution, which is an effective Virucidal solution. One should remember to rinse the Hydrogen Peroxide solution properly before inserting it again in the eye socket.

Cleaning the surrounding may be beneficial to lessen contact with things that are usually touched (example, Door Knobs, Car Keys, Eyeglasses, TV remote, etc.). Soap, Alcohol and Chlorine bleach are effective tools to clean surfaces. To be specific, SARS-CoV-2 can be neutralized by lipid solvents including ether (75%), ethanol, chlorine-containing disinfectant, peroxyacetic acid and chloroform except for chlorhexidine. You may refer to EPA's website for a more complete list of disinfectants. 

I often tell my patients the Glitter principle, especially when handling their Ocular Prosthesis.
The glitter principle simply means the person should always imagine their hands being filled with glitters, and the rule is they don't want any of the glitters to get on any part of their face. To make sure that there is not glitters in their hands, they should often remove the imaginary glitters by washing their hands using anti-bacterial soap. This has been helpful in both my Contact Lens and Ocular Prosthesis patients.

Praying for everyone's safety! If you have any questions about Artificial Eye, you may email me at markparoli@artificialeye.ph

Reference:
​Beat Covid-19 today: A Covid-19 Philippine Situationer, Issue 11, May 08, 2020
www.aao.org/headline/covid-19-background-primer-ophthalmologists www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/coronavirus-and-your-eyes
Aaron Green, Chen Shen and Yaneer Bar-Yam, Coronavirus guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting to prevent COVID-19 transmission, New England Complex Systems Institute (April 9, 2020)

About the Author:
​
Dr Mark Paroli is a board certified Doctor of Optometry. He has special interest in Ocular Prosthesis, Orthokeratology, and Low Vision Rehabilitation. He is an Advocate of children with Low Vision and Myopia Progression Control. He Finished his Masters in Business Administration at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. ​

---