Effect of Wearing Glasses on Risk of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in the Community

Abstract

ImportanceObservational studies have reported an association between the use of eye protection and reduced risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, but, as with most infection control measures, no randomized clinical trials have been conducted.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of wearing glasses in public as protection against being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA randomized clinical trial was conducted in Norway from February 2 to April 24, 2022; all adult members of the public who did not regularly wear glasses, had no symptoms of COVID-19, and did not have COVID-19 in the last 6 weeks were eligible.InterventionWearing glasses (eg, sunglasses) when close to others in public spaces for 2 weeks.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was a positive COVID-19 test result reported to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. Secondary outcomes included a positive COVID-19 test result and respiratory infection based on self-report. All analyses adhered to the intention-to-treat principle.ResultsA total of 3717 adults (2439 women [65.6%]; mean [SD] age, 46.9 [15.1] years) were randomized. All were identified and followed up in the registries, and 3231 (86.9%) responded to the end of study questionnaire. The proportions with a reported positive COVID-19 test result in the national registry were 3.7% (68 of 1852) in the intervention group and 3.5% (65 of 1865) in the control group (absolute risk difference, 0.2%; 95% CI, −1.0% to 1.4%; relative risk, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.75-1.50). The proportions with a positive COVID-19 test result based on self-report were 9.6% (177 of 1852) in the intervention group and 11.5% (214 of 1865) in the control group (absolute risk difference, –1.9%; 95% CI, −3.9% to 0.1%; relative risk, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-1.00). The risk of respiratory infections based on self-reported symptoms was lower in the intervention group (30.8% [571 of 1852]) than in the control group (34.1% [636 of 1865]; absolute risk difference, –3.3%; 95% CI, −6.3% to −0.3%; relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this randomized clinical trial, wearing glasses in the community was not protective regarding the primary outcome of a reported positive COVID-19 test. However, results were limited by a small sample size and other issues. Glasses may be worth considering as one component in infection control, pending further studies.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05217797

Association between face mask use and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Cross-sectional study

“…In this study we used previously collected data from our trial on the effectiveness of using glasses in the community against the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, which took place from 2 February to 24 April 2022, during which participants were continuously recruited [ 12 ]. We redistributed the participants from the two trial arms (glasses use or no use) into three groups based on their retrospective report of the level of face mask use during the study period.…”

“…In this study we revisit the association between use of face masks and the protection against infection from COVID-19. We examine this relationship by using already collected data from a trial conducted in February–April 2022 exploring the effect of wearing glasses on viral transmission [ 12 ].…”

When 2 Epidemics Collide—COVID-19 and Myopia

“…Physical distancing is a major challenge in the eye care setting, and new protective measures have changed many routines in eye clinics, such as office staff now wearing masks and eye protection. Observational studies suggested that wearing glasses may protect against contracting the COVID-19 virus through reduced airborne and contact transmission; however, a randomized trial did not support this …”

“…Observational studies suggested that wearing glasses may protect against contracting the COVID-19 virus through reduced airborne and contact transmission; however, a randomized trial did not support this. 3 Stay-at-home orders have been disruptive and controversial and have negatively affected children's education around the world. Although the nature of lockdowns varied widely, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization reported that the initial March to April 2020 lockdowns disrupted the education of 87% of the world's student population.…”

Comment on the randomized clinical trial investigating the influence of wearing glasses on the risk of COVID-19 infection

“…We perused with keen interest the article titled “ Effect of Wearing Glasses on Risk of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in the Community - A Randomized Clinical Trial ” authored by Fretheim et al, 1 Undoubtedly, this prospective randomized clinical trial assumes a paramount position within the milieu of the current global COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, an extensive questionnaire was administered to a cohort of 3717 respondents.…”