Open AccessSanitizer aerosol-driven ocular surface disease (SADOSD)—A COVID-19 repercussion?
Author(s) -
Rohit Shetty,
Chaitra Jayadev,
Aishwarya Chabra,
Sonia Maheshwari,
Sharon D’Souza,
Pooja Khamar,
Swaminathan Sethu,
Santosh G Honavar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian journal of ophthalmology/indian journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1998-3689
pISSN - 0301-4738
DOI - 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1308_20
Subject(s) - hand sanitizer , medicine , covid-19 , isolation (microbiology) , contact lens , pandemic , environmental health , disease , virology , ophthalmology , microbiology and biotechnology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , biology
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an advisory for regular and thorough cleaning of hands besides other measures such as social distancing and self-isolation. The rationale for the same is to prevent the transfer of the virus from hands that have come in contact with fomites. While both alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) or washing with soap and water are claimed to have been effective, hand sanitizers have gained more popularity due to the ease of use. The increased frequency of ABHR use and the aerosols generated pose a potential threat to the skin and exposed mucosal surfaces, especially that of the eye due to the proximity of use. The adverse effects of alcohol in these sanitizers can be manifold. An allergic or inflammatory response can occur depending on the predisposing or preexisting conditions. This article describes the risks, underlying mechanisms, and preventive measures for sanitizer aerosol-driven ocular surface disease.