Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 24, 2024 5:04:37 GMT
Effect of Wearing Glasses on Risk of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in the Community - Published Dec 1, 2022
Key Points
Question What is the effect of wearing glasses on the risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses?
Findings In this randomized clinical trial with 3717 participants, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of positive reported COVID-19 cases. There was a statistically significant lower self-reported incidence of respiratory infection in the intervention group.
Meaning This study does not conclude that recommending the use of glasses to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses is beneficial, but the intervention is worth considering because it is simple, low cost, and has few negative consequences.
Abstract
Importance Observational 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.
Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of wearing glasses in public as protection against being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.
Design, Setting, and Participants A 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.
Intervention Wearing glasses (eg, sunglasses) when close to others in public spaces for 2 weeks.
Main Outcomes and Measures The 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.
Results A 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 Relevance In 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 Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05217797
Key Points
Question What is the effect of wearing glasses on the risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses?
Findings In this randomized clinical trial with 3717 participants, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of positive reported COVID-19 cases. There was a statistically significant lower self-reported incidence of respiratory infection in the intervention group.
Meaning This study does not conclude that recommending the use of glasses to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses is beneficial, but the intervention is worth considering because it is simple, low cost, and has few negative consequences.
Abstract
Importance Observational 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.
Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of wearing glasses in public as protection against being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.
Design, Setting, and Participants A 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.
Intervention Wearing glasses (eg, sunglasses) when close to others in public spaces for 2 weeks.
Main Outcomes and Measures The 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.
Results A 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 Relevance In 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 Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05217797