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May 17, 2021

Four ways to protect your eyes from Covid-19

Although Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new disease and experts are still learning how it spreads, touching a surface or object that has any virus or germs on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly eyes can lead to infection.

We’ve teamed up with Dr. Jennifer Tsai, OD to answer a few questions about ways to protect your eyes during this outbreak.

Is it safe to wear contacts?

Yes, as of now and the most sanitary option is daily contacts.

The cardinal rule for staying healthy is to wash your hands often. The eyes are an entry point for germs, including viruses which makes washing your hands immediately before handling contacts especially important. This will also help keep the silicone hydrogel clean and free of unwelcome particles, like skin oils, dust, and harmful bacteria. The American Optometric Association recommends that you scrub your hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by hand drying with unused paper towels. This should occur before every contact lens insertion and removal. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

How do you clean your glasses?

COVID-19 can live on hard surfaces for 1-3 days. To sanitize glasses, fill a spray bottle with 3/4 alcohol (70% ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol), 1/4 water, and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Apply the solution and wipe any part of the frames that touch your face. This solution is only recommended for glasses without anti-reflective coating and not plastic lenses, as the alcohol can strip off the coating.

For most frames, adding a drop of soap to the surface and rubbing with your fingers will do a substantial job of removing any bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands first (to remove any oil) and don’t forget the nose pads!

To dry, shake off excess water and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Be mindful that using your shirt or paper could scratch the lenses. Microfibers can sometimes leave particles so if you don’t have a cloth, use a compressed air duster instead (like the one for your keyboard).

Is it safe to wear eyelash extensions?

It’s currently unclear but why risk it? Bacteria can live on hair and lashes for short amounts of time. Stick to mascara for now and be sure to sanitize your brushes and applicators regularly.

How do you clean makeup applicators?

Easy! Fill a spray bottle with 3/4 rubbing alcohol and 1/4 water, then apply to any brushes before every application. You can also use gentle shampoo periodically. Simply squirt a bit into a cup of warm water, then soak your sponges in the bubbly solution. Squeeze and rinse until the water runs clear. For brushes, swirl the tips in the water and shampoo, then in the palm of your hand to work up a lather. Next, run the bristles under warm water until there is no more product. Finally, lay all your brushes and sponges flat on a clean cloth to dry. Voila!

This article was reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Tsai, OD. Dr. Tsai practices optometry in New York City.

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

January 31, 2021

Light and your eyes

Explore the latest research regarding bright lights and retina damage, and how to properly protect your eyes.

Parents will often tell children not to stare at the sun. This is good advice, since permanent retinal damage occurs after staring for just a few minutes! This is called solar retinopathy. Lasers and very bright industrial lights can also damage the retina.

Since very bright lights can damage the retina in a short period of time, can long-term exposure to moderately bright light cause retinal damage? The answer is maybe, and why not protect yourself against this possibility?

Research Findings on Bright Lights and Eye Damage

In the Chesapeake Bay Waterman Study, which analyzed fisherman exposed to bright light reflected off the water every day, blue light exposure was found to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This conclusion, while suggestive, as not definitive, since it is difficult to quantify light exposure in everyday life.

In experimental mice, bright light does cause permanent retinal damage. If the light has the intensity of sunlight, short exposure times can cause damage. If the light is not quite so bright, chronic exposure over days to weeks can cause permanent damage. This is thought to be due to what is called photo-oxidative damage; the light reacts with the retina to produce molecules that are very reactive and cause damage to surrounding molecules.

If light exposure is a risk factor for AMD, then it would be expected that people with lighter colored eyes, which let in more light, would have a higher risk. Indeed, African-Americans have a much lower risk of AMD than Caucasians. Some studies have suggested that people with blue eyes have the highest risk.

Some experimental mice and even a particular breed of dog have genetic mutations that make their retinas extremely sensitive to light; permanent retinal damage can be caused by light levels that would not harm animals with normal retinas. Analogously, people with AMD, Stargardt disease, or retinitis pigmentosa may be more susceptible to retinal light damage than people with normal retinas.

How Can I Protect My Eyes from Bright Lights?

The simplest way to protect against possible retinal light damage is to wear sunglasses and a hat. The sunglasses should have dark tint. If you hold the glasses up to a light, the light coming through the lenses should appear grey, brown, or yellowish brown—not blue, which is probably the most damaging light wavelength. If picking ready-made sunglasses in a store, choose the ones that transmit the least light (but only wear them if you can still see well enough). If ordering custom sunglasses, ask the optician for a very dark tint. Polarization will also decrease the amount of light coming through sunglasses and helps reduce glare. UV protection helps protect the lens inside the eye against cataracts. Since UV light is blocked by the lens inside the eye it is the visible light that can harm the retina.

Since it is thought that blue light can damage the retina, ophthalmologists can now offer blue-blocking lens implants when performing cataract surgery. While these may be helpful, the same effect can be achieved by wearing sunglasses.

Are Indoor Lights Damaging to the Eyes?

Could indoor lights be harmful? It is prudent to use the amount of light you need to read or perform activities of daily life, but there is no reason to exceed this amount with very bright lighting. When choosing light bulbs, those with the “warm” color spectrum, favoring reds and greens over the “cool” blues, are typically more comfortable for reading and may be safer. Energy-efficient LED bulbs come in warm or full spectrum varieties. As with most things in life, light is good, in moderation

–

Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhDScheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania

November 14, 2020

Don’t let glaucoma steal your vision

Overview

Open-angle glaucomaOpen pop-up dialog box

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults.

Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is at an advanced stage.

Because vision loss due to glaucoma can’t be recovered, it’s important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure so a diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have the condition, you’ll generally need treatment for the rest of your life.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of your condition. For example:

Open-angle glaucoma

Patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision, frequently in both eyes
Tunnel vision in the advanced stages

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Severe headache
Eye pain
Nausea and vomiting
Blurred vision
Halos around lights
Eye redness

If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, about 15 percent of people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within 20 years.

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When to see a doctor

Promptly go to an emergency room or an eye doctor’s (ophthalmologist’s) office if you experience some of the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma, such as severe headache, eye pain and blurred vision.

Causes

Glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve. As this nerve gradually deteriorates, blind spots develop in your visual field. For reasons that doctors don’t fully understand, this nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.

Elevated eye pressure is due to a buildup of a fluid (aqueous humor) that flows throughout the inside of your eye. This internal fluid normally drains out through a tissue called the trabecular meshwork at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. When fluid is overproduced or the drainage system doesn’t work properly, the fluid can’t flow out at its normal rate and eye pressure increases.

Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people, scientists have identified genes related to high eye pressure and optic nerve damage.

Types of glaucoma include:

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease. The drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris remains open, but the trabecular meshwork is partially blocked. This causes pressure in the eye to gradually increase. This pressure damages the optic nerve. It happens so slowly that you may lose vision before you’re even aware of a problem.

Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma, also called closed-angle glaucoma, occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. As a result, fluid can’t circulate through the eye and pressure increases. Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Angle-closure glaucoma may occur suddenly (acute angle-closure glaucoma) or gradually (chronic angle-closure glaucoma). Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency.

Normal-tension glaucoma

In normal-tension glaucoma, your optic nerve becomes damaged even though your eye pressure is within the normal range. No one knows the exact reason for this. You may have a sensitive optic nerve, or you may have less blood being supplied to your optic nerve. This limited blood flow could be caused by atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries — or other conditions that impair circulation.

Glaucoma in children

It’s possible for infants and children to have glaucoma. It may be present from birth or develop in the first few years of life. The optic nerve damage may be caused by drainage blockages or an underlying medical condition.

Pigmentary glaucoma

In pigmentary glaucoma, pigment granules from your iris build up in the drainage channels, slowing or blocking fluid exiting your eye. Activities such as jogging sometimes stir up the pigment granules, depositing them on the trabecular meshwork and causing intermittent pressure elevations.

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Risk factors

Because chronic forms of glaucoma can destroy vision before any signs or symptoms are apparent, be aware of these risk factors:

Having high internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
Being over age 60
Being black, Asian or Hispanic
Having a family history of glaucoma
Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sickle cell anemia
Having corneas that are thin in the center
Being extremely nearsighted or farsighted
Having had an eye injury or certain types of eye surgery
Taking corticosteroid medications, especially eyedrops, for a long time

Prevention

These self-care steps can help you detect glaucoma in its early stages, which is important in preventing vision loss or slowing its progress.

Get regular dilated eye examinations. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages, before significant damage occurs. As a general rule, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends having a comprehensive eye exam every five to 10 years if you’re under 40 years old; every two to four years if you’re 40 to 54 years old; every one to three years if you’re 55 to 64 years old; and every one to two years if you’re older than 65. If you’re at risk of glaucoma, you’ll need more frequent screening. Ask your doctor to recommend the right screening schedule for you.
Know your family’s eye health history. Glaucoma tends to run in families. If you’re at increased risk, you may need more frequent screening.
Exercise safely. Regular, moderate exercise may help prevent glaucoma by reducing eye pressure. Talk with your doctor about an appropriate exercise program.
Take prescribed eyedrops regularly. Glaucoma eyedrops can significantly reduce the risk that high eye pressure will progress to glaucoma. To be effective, eyedrops prescribed by your doctor need to be used regularly even if you have no symptoms.
Wear eye protection. Serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma. Wear eye protection when using power tools or playing high-speed racket sports in enclosed courts.

September 17, 2020

Road safety and your eyesight

Uncorrected vision continues to endanger the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around the world. Compounded by external factors such as nighttime driving, inclement weather, and adverse road conditions, uncorrected vision contributes to more than 1.25 million road accident deaths each year.[1] Until recently, the intersection of vision and road safety has not received adequate attention. Consequently, there is a lack of awareness around the need to address the impact of vision problems on driver and road safety. While governments and policymakers can play a significant role in raising greater awareness of this public health threat, eye care professionals are also part of the solution as they are a competent authority in promoting effective assessment of vision and correcting drivers’ visual functions.CONTENT KEY TAKEAWAYS REFERENCES

The problematic relationship between uncorrected vision and road safety is a deadly, global phenomenon, and is growing more dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that road traffic crashes are a leading cause of road deaths globally and the main cause of deaths among those aged 15 to 29 years-old.[2] What is perhaps most disturbing is how traffic accidents disproportionately affect low- or middle-income countries, which are home to more than 80 percent of the world’s population. Though these countries account for only 54 percent of the world’s vehicles, they see 90 percent of all road traffic deaths. These road accidents also come with an adverse economic impact, estimated at US$500 billion a year –another burden on low- or middle-income countries. [2]

“These road accidents also come with and adverse economic impact, estimated at US$ 500 Billion a year – another burden on low- or middle-income countries.”

There are hopeful signs, yet much work remains. Globally, the number of traffic deaths plateaued between 2007 and 2015 despite a four percent increase in the world’s population – and an increase in motorization even four times higher than that – suggesting that intervention efforts can and do save lives. [2] However, disparity remains. Among the 68 countries that saw a rise in the number of road traffic deaths between 2010 and 2013, 84 percent were low- or middle-income.[2]

Recognizing the severity and disparity of both the human toll and economic burden that traffic accidents place on national economies and individual households alike, the United Nations, in its Sustainability Goals, included an ambitious goal of halving traffic-related deaths and injuries by the year 2020.

This new imperative to address road safety brings with it a greater urgency to understand the underlying causes of traffic accidents. Much attention has been given to the effects of drunk driving and, more recently, the use of wireless devices while driving. But in addition to the important issues of inebriated and inattentive driving, vision impairment also warrants attention.

The assumption of good vision, necessary to safely operate a vehicle, has long caused uncorrected vision to be overlooked as a factor in road safety. Drs. Cynthia Owsley and Gerald McGwin note in their analysis, “Vision and Driving,” that “the visual demands of driving are intricate.” [3] By cataloging the many and varied visual tasks involved in driving, including the simultaneous use of central and peripheral vision to monitor primary and secondary tasks, they reinforce how visually intensive driving under normal conditions is. These findings have led researchers to conclude that many visual tests for drivers are inadequate, often failing to simulate the distractions and wide ranging contrast and luminance levels experienced in real-world road conditions.[3] This is compounded by the fact that many drivers avoid seeking evaluation and treatment for vision issues; in Europe, 19 percent of drivers reported delaying visits to an optician until they notice problems with their vision.[5]

Driving and vision infographics Vision Impact Institute - Points De Vue

The contributions of Owsley, McGwin, Chakrabarty and others to the growing dialogue around driving and vision are indicative of the increased attention and analysis that this issue requires. However, though the link between vision and road safety should be a global concern, the disparity between high-income and low- or medium-income countries illustrates that it remains very much a local issue, which demands a greater understanding of local factors.

Road Safety Around the World

As the correlation between vision and road safety has come to the forefront, more data is becoming available from both high-income and low- or medium-income countries.

In India, for example, the dual forces of population growth and economic development have resulted in a higher number of vehicles on the road and, consequently, a greater number of traffic accidents. One study of vision and drivers in India calculated the road crash involvement rate of drivers with unacceptable vision test results at 81 percent, which was 30 percent higher than that of drivers with good vision.[6] While many factors, including poor vehicle and road conditions and traffic violations, have been found to affect driver safety, researchers have pointed to vision problems, worsened by night driving, as significant causes of driver safety challenges.

As the correlation between vision and road safety has come to the forefront, more data is becoming available from both high-income and low- or medium-income countries.

In India, for example, the dual forces of population growth and economic development have resulted in a higher number of vehicles on the road and, consequently, a greater number of traffic accidents. One study of vision and drivers in India calculated the road crash involvement rate of drivers with unacceptable vision test results at 81 percent, which was 30 percent higher than that of drivers with good vision.6 While many factors, including poor vehicle and road conditions and traffic violations, have been found to affect driver safety, researchers have pointed to vision problems, worsened by night driving, as significant causes of driver safety challenges.

Despite the disproportionate impact of uncorrected vision on road safety in low- or medium-income countries, high-income countries are not immune to this threat. A 2003 European analysis of health-related risk factors in traffic accidents found that the risk of car crash increased by nine percent when there was a visual impairment.[7] Research also reveals how even a relatively small percentage of drivers with uncorrected vision can cause a significant economic impact. In the U.K., for example, only seven percent of the population suffers from uncorrected vision, yet the economic impact of road accidents in relation to vision amounted to US$55 million in 2012.[9,13]

Vision Solution Efforts

Though uncorrected vision remains a danger to road safety, recent research is helping to make the case for policies and resources that can put the brakes on this global public health threat. With more stakeholders undertaking efforts to understand the intersection of vision and road safety, researchers, governments, organizations and eye care professionals around the world are beginning to identify promising solutions. In Italy, researchers evidenced that the use of an appropriate ophthalmic compensation with corrective lenses is able to improve drivers’ visual abilities.[10] In India, for instance, as the result of early efforts to prevent traffic accidents, drivers are now required to undergo vision screenings and be granted access to driving aids such as anti-glare glasses.[4]

Based on their research, Drs. Owsley and McGwin recommend additional screening measures to augment current visual acuity tests, which would examine drivers’ contrast sensitivity, visual field, processing speed, and divided attention. But most importantly, they call for more research methodology on vision and driving to expand upon the current database of knowledge.[3]

However, more research, more testing and even more rigorous testing will not reduce the threat of uncorrected vision on road safety if drivers do not seek evaluation and treatment from eye care professionals. The WHO released a report, “Universal Eye Health: A Global Action Problem 2014-2019,” which focuses on finding solutions to visual impairments. According to the report, if vision care – such as refractive services and surgeries – were provided, more than two-thirds of people affected by uncorrected vision could improve their eyesight.[11]

For this reason, organizations like Essilor and the Fédération Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) have pledged to address the correlation between poor vision and driver and road safety. Essilor’s role in the partnership is to advocate for road safety and reinforce FIA’s messages about the vital role of adequate vision along with corresponding efforts to lobby against road accidents and deaths. The collaboration between these two organizations rests on the “New Golden Rule, ‘Check your vision,’” which aims to raise awareness on vision as a public health challenge by updating FIA’s ten “Golden Rules” on road safety. This partnership received the distinct endorsement of the World Council of Optometry and the Vision Impact Institute at the 2nd World Congress of Optometry in Sept. 2017.[12]

Conclusion

It is imperative that we address vision problems and their impact on the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Vision standards for driving must be a priority, and the development and implementation of these standards should not fall solely on local, state and national governments, but also on eye care professionals around the world. As we work towards our goal of expanding access to proper vision care around the world, our success will hinge on the collaboration between stakeholders to identify solutions that will improve driver vision, equip medical professionals with the information and resources they need and, ultimately, ensure road safety for drivers everywhere.

“It is imperative that we address vision problems and their impact on the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.”

March 24, 2020

Corona virus and your eyes

Our eyes might play an important role in the spread and prevention of the new coronavirus outbreak seen throughout the world.

For example, a Peking University physician believes he may have contracted the coronavirus while not wearing eye protection when treating patients. Medical officials, though, say while this is possible, it may be unlikely.

To cut your personal risk of contracting the new coronavirus, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. It is the mucous membranes (membranes that line various cavities in the body) that are most susceptible to transmission of the virus.

What is coronavirus?

Reports of a new coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19) first emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Coronaviruses are a group of common viruses. Some affect only animals (such as bats, cats, camels and cattle), while others also affect people, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

COVID-19 can trigger ailments as minor as the common cold, or more consequential such as bronchitis, pneumonia and kidney failure. The most severe cases may be life-threatening. This is the seventh known type of coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How is the new coronavirus related to your eyes?

Patients who have contracted the new coronavirus may have ocular symptoms.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the eyeball. It is often referred to as “pink eye.” Conjunctivitis often presents as an infected/red, “wet and weepy” eye.

Viral conjunctivitis is known to present with upper respiratory infections (colds, flus, etc.) and may be a symptom of the COVID-19 virus. A recent study of hospitals across China, published in the New England Journal of Medicine , found “conjunctival congestion” or red, infected eyes in 9 of 1,099 patients (0.8%) with a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus.

A study in The Journal of Medical Virology of 30 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 had only one patient diagnosed with conjunctivitis. Based on this information, the occurrence of conjunctivitis is low.

IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING WELL… Call your family doctor. If you suspect you may have conjunctivitis, call an eye doctor near you. It is suggested that patients do not present to medical or eye care facilities without a prior phone call to help to decrease the possible spread of the virus. A phone call allows the health facility to prepare for your visit and diagnose and treat you in a proper manner.

The relationship between the transmission of the coronavirus and your eyes is complicated.

It’s thought that COVID-19 spreads from person to person mainly through airborne “respiratory droplets” produced when someone coughs or sneezes, much like the flu virus spreads, the CDC says. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, and possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Medical experts are unsure whether someone can contract this virus by touching a surface or object, such as a table or doorknob, that has COVID -19 on it and then touching their mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.

Peking University respiratory specialist Wang Guangfa believes he contracted COVID-19 when he came into contact with patients at health clinics in China.

Wang reported that his left eye became inflamed afterward, followed by a fever and a buildup of mucus in his nose and throat. He subsequently was diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

According to the South China Morning Post , Wang thinks the virus entered his left eye because he wasn’t wearing protective eyewear.

Dr. Jan Evans Patterson , professor of medicine and pathology in the Long School of Medicine’s infectious diseases division at UT Health San Antonio, confirms that a scenario like Wang’s could potentially happen.

In Wang’s situation, she says, respiratory droplets from an infected person might have reached his eyes or other mucous membranes.

Generally, though, transmission of COVID-19 comes with so many unknowns that it’s “plausible but unlikely” to contract it through hand-to-eye contact, says Dr. Stephen Thomas , chief of infectious diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

How contagious is the new coronavirus?

Currently, it’s not known how “easily or sustainably” the virus spreads from person to person, according to the CDC.

Many large gatherings and events have been canceled or postponed as a public health measure to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. U.S. health officials have implemented these emergency measures as a best practice to contain the transmission of the virus.

Schools have canceled classes and switched to online courses, and sports leagues and museums have closed as a precaution to avoid community spread.

What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?

Symptoms of COVID-19 include a mild to severe respiratory illness accompanied by a fever, cough and breathing problems, according to the World Health Organization . Other symptoms include runny nose, sore throat and headache.

Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those who are older or have other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.

Symptoms normally show up two to 14 days after someone has been exposed to the virus.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Health care professionals diagnose the coronavirus through lab tests of respiratory or blood samples or other bodily fluids.

Is there a vaccine or treatment for the new coronavirus?

So far, no vaccine or antiviral treatment has been identified. Therefore, the best method for limiting the spread of this virus is to quickly isolate people who have it (or are presumed to have it if they’ve been exposed to it) before they infect others, the Harvard Business Review says.

How can you cut your risk of contracting coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established a site with the most up-to-date information related to the coronavirus outbreak .

The CDC’s recommended steps to prevent illness include:

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, eaten, used the restroom, blown your nose, coughed or sneezed.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible, but especially with unwashed hands.

Reduce your exposure

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Stay home if you’re sick — except to get medical care.

Cover coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.Throw used tissues in the trash.Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose if you are sick.

If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for health care workers, people who are sick and caregivers.

Clean and disinfect surfaces

Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials, the CDC reports. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.

At least some coronavirus can potentially remain viable — capable of infecting a person — for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel, The Washington Post reports, citing research by a laboratory that is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

How to dress to limit exposure

According to the World Health Organization, if you have the potential of being exposed to a person with coronavirus, you should be equipped with protective eyewear, a surgical mask, medical gown, medical gloves and a disposable respirator.

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