Abstract
Background: Dry eye is characterized by tear film instability, decreased tear volume and a high Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score. Face masks have been linked to dry eye complaints in recent studies. Purpose: To evaluate the changes in tear-film status and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score following prolonged use of face mask. Design: Cross-sectional study. Method: Patients between 18 to 70 years using masks regularly for at least 2 hours/day for at least 5 days/week from different eye-care centres in Dhaka were included. All subjects were divided into 4 groups. Mask use lasted approximately 2 hours/day in Group 1, 4 hours/day in Group 2, 6 hours/day in Group 3 and 8 hours or more/day in Group 4. Evaluation of symptoms, tear- film stability and tear volume was done by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, Tear-film Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer-1 test. Average of right & left eye’s Tear-film Break Up time (TBUT) and Schirmer-1 value were noted. Results: Total 100 patients were enrolled (n = 100). The TBUT (p < 0.001) and Schirmer-1 measurement (p = 0.01) were significantly lesser and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score were significantly higher in patients using face-masks for longer time (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients who wore masks for prolonged time had tear film instability, reduced tear volume and higher Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score.
Highlights
The most essential protective element of the ocular surface is the tear film
Dry eye is characterized by tear film instability, decreased tear volume and a high Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score
Evaluation of symptoms, tearfilm stability and tear volume was done by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, Tear-film Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer-1 test
Summary
The most essential protective element of the ocular surface is the tear film. The secretions from lacrimal glands, accessory lacrimal glands, goblet cells and the meibomian glands make up the tear film [1]. Dry eye is characterized by tear film instability, decreased tear volume and a high Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score. Purpose: To evaluate the changes in tear-film status and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score following prolonged use of face mask. Evaluation of symptoms, tearfilm stability and tear volume was done by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, Tear-film Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer-1 test. The TBUT (p < 0.001) and Schirmer-1 measurement (p = 0.01) were significantly lesser and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score were significantly higher in patients using face-masks for longer time (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients who wore masks for prolonged time had tear film instability, reduced tear volume and higher Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score
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