COVID-19: Transmission Through the Ocular Surface and Implications on Clinical Practice in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Patients

Özet

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected ophthalmology among other medical specialties. The virus is transmitted by person-to person contact, exposure to contaminated surfaces, or via aerosols carrying infective particles usually originating from respiratory tract. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that the ocular surface may be a site for infection. The purpose of this review is to examine transmission of COVID-19 through the ocular surface and review the major guidelines regarding the management of cornea, the ocular surface, cataract and refractive surgery patients.