A team of researchers in the US in an alarming study found direct evidence that Covid-19 can infect cells in the eye.
SARS-CoV-2 that causes the Covid-19 disease was earlier thought to transmit and begin infection in the upper respiratory tract; this is the reason why the general public is recommended to use face masks.
However, a recent study by the Mount Sinai Hospital researchers found that cells in the eye can be directly infected by SARS-CoV-2.
The aerosol transmission is thought to be the primary route of spread and the viral particles have been detected in ocular fluid suggesting the eye may be a vulnerable point of viral entry.
The study shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect surface cells of the eye.
The exposed cells revealed the presence of infection-associated proteins including ACE2 (the virus receptor) and TMPRSS2 (an enzyme that allows viral entry).
IFN-beta is a protein that has antiviral and antibacterial properties, this also found to be suppressed from exposure to the virus.
In addition to this, the study also found that ocular surface cells, particularly the limbus, were susceptible to infection, while the central cornea was less vulnerable.
Timothy Blenkinsop, Assistant Professor, at Mount Sinai, said “We hope this new data results in additional measures to protect the eyes. We also intend to use these models to test approaches to prevent ocular infections.’
The study was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, which has an immediate impact on preventive measures to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19 as it supports new guidance for eye protection that can be instituted worldwide.
These findings also highlight the importance of washing hands, as rubbing one’s eyes should now be viewed as an entry point for infection.
The study also evaluated that SARS-CoV-2 can infect both tissues and primary cells in the eye.
