Table 2.

Possible Routes for SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the Eye

Serial Number	Routes of Virus Entry Into the Eye	Mechanism	Remarks
1	Droplets transmission	Respiratory droplets from infected person coughs/sneezes) →virus inoculate into the exposed ocular mucosal surface	→ Causes the local infection or directly enters the lacrimal passage → reach upper & lower respiratory system
2	Aerosol transmission	High dose of contaminated aerosols → virus into enter the exposed ocular mucosal surface
3	Hand to eye contact transmission	Contamination of hand after touching virus contaminated surface/object → direct touch the eyes → virus inoculated in the exposed ocular mucosal surface
4	Nosocomial transmission	Use of virus contaminated ophthalmic instruments during gonioscopy, tonometry, ocular imaging etc → virus inoculated in the exposed ocular mucosal surface
5	Retrograde/Reflux transmission	Nasopharynx, the primary site of viraemia → reflux of nasopharyngeal secretion → virus enter to the lacrimal passage → enter ocular mucosal surface	Reverse entry from the upper respiratory tract to the eye
6	Blood borne	Virus and the released cytokines can → enter the blood circulation → reach the ocular surface via ocular blood supply	Viraemia