Evidence-guided recommendations are important at all times, but especially during a crisis. Speculative guidelines are not beneficial and can even be harmful. We provide current evidence-based information for patients who wear vision correction, and we provide updates as necessary.
Glasses
- There is no evidence that glasses protect you from COVID-19 infection
- Standard eyeglasses are NOT approved for use as personal protective equipment (PPE) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- COVID-19 can remain on hard surfaces for hours to days, and can then be transferred to the fingers and face
- Wash your eyeglasses regularly
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry with a clean paper towel prior to handling your eyeglasses
Contact Lenses
- There is no evidence that contact lenses put you at greater risk of COVID-19 infection
- Do not wear contact lenses if you are sick
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and dry with a clean paper towel prior to handling your lenses
- Dispose of your daily disposable contact lenses after each use or clean and disinfect your reusable lenses and your lens case according to eye care professional’s recommendations
- Do not sleep in your contact lenses
- If your eyes become red, remove your contact lenses
- If your eyes become painful, redness increases, or vision gets worse, call your eye care practitioner
Read about special precautions to prevent COVID-19 for contact lens wearers in the How to Protect Yourself section of the CDC website.