Mask-Associated Dry Eye During COVID-19 PandemicHow Face Masks Contribute to Dry Eye Disease Symptoms
Iva Krolo, Matija Blazeka, Ivan Merdzo, Izabela Vrtar, Ivan Sabol, Ivanka Petric-Vickovic.
Abstract
Background: In the year 2020 we observe the world adapting to new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ways of which include physical distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing a face mask. There is no conclusive evidence about ocular manifestations of the new coronavirus infection, but cases of conjunctivitis, keratitis, and episcleritis have been reported in infected individuals. Objective: Determining if wearing a face mask during COVID-19 pandemic causes a new onset or deterioration of previously existing dry eye disease (DED). Methods: A prospective cohort study included 203 participants, all using surgical facemasks daily due to new regulations during COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a survey, containing modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. They were divided into groups according to: sex, age, duration of face mask-wear, and existence of prior DED history. Results: Our results indicate that women have a statistically higher OSDI score compared to men (14.4 (IQR = 2.4 41.7) vs. 5.0 (IQR = 0.0 24.4); P = .004). Age did not significantly affect OSDI median values. Group that used masks from 3 to 6 hours/day demonstrated significantly higher OSDI scores compared to
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