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Natural protection of ocular surface from viral infections - A hypothesis

Keith Zimmerman1, Fiona Kearns2, Radouil Tzekov3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Medical Hypotheses
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The eye's natural electrical properties may prevent widespread COVID-19 conjunctivitis, despite viral receptors being present. This research explores how the eye repels virus particles, offering insights into preventing ocular infections.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has spurred extensive research.
  • Viral conjunctivitis is an observed ocular manifestation, though its prevalence in COVID-19 patients is surprisingly low (~1%).
  • Viral receptors (ACE2, TMPRSS2) are present in ocular surface tissues, making the low occurrence unexpected.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the discrepancy between the expected high and observed low prevalence of viral conjunctivitis in COVID-19.
  • To discuss natural protective factors of the eye against viral deposition.
  • To hypothesize the role of the eye's standing potential in repelling aerosolized virus particles.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and viral conjunctivitis.
  • Analysis of anatomical and physiological properties of the ocular surface.
  • Formulation of a hypothesis regarding the electrostatic properties of the eye.

Main Results:

  • The eye possesses natural protective mechanisms that limit viral particle deposition on the ocular surface.
  • The hypothesis proposes that the eye's standing potential actively repels airborne microdroplets containing viruses.
  • Factors influencing this electrostatic repulsion and methods for testing are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • The eye's standing potential may be a key factor in the low incidence of COVID-19 related conjunctivitis.
  • Understanding these protective mechanisms could lead to novel strategies for preventing ocular viral infections.
  • Further research is needed to validate the role of electrostatic forces in ocular defense.
Keywords:
BioaerosolsCOVID-19CoronavirusSARSSARS-CoV-1SARS-CoV-2Standing potential of the eye

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