Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 epidemic is largely controlled by the use of face masks. The use of a face mask has been indicated as a strong cause of dry eye, although it is not yet described in the literature. This study aims to compare the impact of the use of masks on the visual quality of patients. The symptoms in the human eye intensified during the pandemic versus the symptoms before the pandemic, in a Portuguese population. Methods: A fifteen-question questionnaire was conducted to find out what changes occurred in the use of soft contact lenses during the pandemic in relation to the use of masks. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 27.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The use of contact lenses decreased compared with before the pandemic (p < 0.001). The number of hours of wear decreased significantly compared with before the pandemic (p < 0.001). The sensation of dry eyes was found to be worse in those using monthly replacement contact lenses (p = 0.034), and the need to remove contact lenses was more frequent in women (p = 0.026) after using a mask. Conclusions: Mask use increases dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers, negatively impacting visual quality.
Highlights
The survey is comprised of nine questions in Portuguese, which are based on the use and state of ocular comfort with soft contact lenses after the use of the face mask compared with before the pandemic
The research team generated a list of possible questions in order to obtain the following information: demographic information; contact lens type, replacement, and compliance with contact lens care before and after the pandemic; contact lens wear frequency before the pandemic and how their use has changed during and after the pandemic; frequency of mask use; ocular symptoms associated with the use of contact lenses (CL) and the influence of the mask on these symptoms
This study shows that the use of masks increases eye symptoms in contact lens wearers
Summary
It can directly affect the ocular surface tissue and cause conjunctivitis, which has already been well described since the beginning of the pandemic [2,3]. Both the conjunctiva and the cornea express the ACE2 molecule, which is the target of SARS-CoV-2 [4]. The use of a face mask has been indicated as a strong cause of dry eye, it is not yet described in the literature.
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