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Much of our new normal consists of wondering about how COVID-19 spreads and whether you are at risk. Many people have started wondering whether the coronavirus can spread through eyes.
What we know is that when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks, tiny virus particles are dispersed into the air. If you are close enough to someone infected, and you aren’t properly protected, you can breathe these particles in through your nose and mouth.
As we learn more about the transmission of COVID-19, we found that coronavirus transmission through eyes, although rare, may be possible.
These virus particles can either enter your eyes as they are lingering in the air, or if someone touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes.
In this piece, we’ll look at coronavirus and eye care, how to prepare for LASIK, and how to know if your symptoms are a result of surgery or COVID-19.
Preparing for LASIK During Coronavirus
Preparing for LASIK is very important and should not be something a person rushes into. Pre-LASIK preparation starts with making sure you find a surgeon who is skilled and experienced and who is committed to the highest levels of safety and care.
Once you’ve decided to move forward with having your eyes treated, you will want to make sure that you plan for the day of surgery accordingly.
Preparing for LASIK eye surgery should include making sure you come to surgery comfortable, relaxed, and not on an empty stomach. Also, make sure that you bring your prescription medications with you, and make sure you have a way of getting to and from the surgery without driving yourself.
With so much emphasis being put on not touching your face, now is a perfect time to consider getting LASIK surgery. LASIK will offer you the option of not having to touch your eyes daily when putting in contact lenses or having to adjust your glasses when they fall.
After LASIK Care During Coronavirus
After LASIK care remains largely the same with an emphasis being put on good hygiene. A patient is encouraged to continue washing their hands thoroughly before touching their face or administering post-surgical eye drops.
Patients should continue cleaning around their eyes to promote good ocular hygiene. This is similar to the good handwashing hygiene that is recommended to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Contacts after LASIK won’t be necessary even though your immediate post-op vision might still be somewhat fuzzy. A majority of patients have a high functioning vision immediately following their LASIK procedure and can resume most of their normal day to day tasks within 24 hours.
Red Eyes After LASIK – Is It Coronavirus?
Red eyes after LASIK is a very common and a normal part of the healing process. Patients should enter into surgery knowing that some irritation and redness is to be expected.
Although coronavirus red eye does exist, this is usually not a symptom that a patient uniquely develops after suffering from the virus for several days or weeks. It is usually associated with systemic symptoms such as fever, body ache, and upper respiratory symptoms.
Red eyes after LASIK is very common in the great majority of patients, not caused from an infection, but just part of the post-op process.
Speak to Chicago’s Eye Experts
At The Kraff Eye Institute, we have decades of experience serving the Chicagoland area and our eye doctors will happily discuss your treatment options as well as the best ways to protect your eyes during
coronavirus.
Please view our online video resources to learn more about our new normal, the precautions our staff takes, the possibility to have an online LASIK consultation, and about all the measures we at the Kraff Eye Institute have introduced now, during the coronavirus, to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
Reach our team over the phone by calling (312) 444-1111 or schedule your appointment online.
FAQ
How can I reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus?
Practicing good hygiene and avoiding unnecessary social interaction remain 2 of the best ways to avoid contracting COVID-19 for both patients and staff within the office. Our practice has taken several steps to ensure your safety. We have reduced our patient schedules to help minimize in office traffic.
Surfaces are cleaned before and after each patient. We have also increased the use of PPE attire, and are requiring patients to wear face masks and use hand sanitizer before entering our practice.
Patients will also have their temperatures checked upon entering the office. We have also installed safety shields at all of our equipment and reception areas to create an additional barrier between our staff and the patient.
Should I wear glasses or contact lenses?
Now is a better time then ever to consider having LASIK surgery. People don’t realize how often they touch their face because their glasses need to be adjusted or because their contact lens have shifted. Now having to worry about the coronavirus, relying on contact lenses becomes a bigger issue as you’re having to touch your eyes daily to put your contacts in and out.
Transforming Sight, Changing Lives.
