Can You Catch a Cold Through Your Eyes?

Can you catch a cold through your eyes?

It happens quite often actually. Rubbing your eyes after coming in contact with an infected person is one of the most common ways to catch a cold. A virus can quickly spread throughout the body by traveling into the tear ducts.

Here are some precautions to take to lower your risk during cold season.

1. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes and face as much as possible. 
2. Keeping hand sanitizer with you at all times during cold season may help to reduce the chances of contracting a virus as well. 
3. If you wear contacts, wash your hands thoroughly before putting your contacts in and properly disinfecting your contacts with a multi-purpose solution, not saline.
4. Rubbing your eyes could also allow bacteria to enter the eye, resulting in a higher risk for an eye infection.

All of these precautions can also be used to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. To learn more about how we are keeping our patients safe during visits, check out our Eyes On Safety blog.