Using face masks with spectacles versus contact lenses

Jose Vega,Sarah Smith,Maria Navascues-Cornago,Andrew J Plowright,Michael L Read,Gary N Orsborn,Aftab Mirza,Carole Maldonado-Codina,Philip B Morgan

doi:10.1016/j.clae.2021.101516

Abstract

PurposeTo test the hypothesis that various subjective ocular and task-related parameters associated with wearing a face mask would be better in neophyte contact lens (CL) wear compared to habitual spectacle (Sp) wear. MethodsThirty participants were randomised to continue in Sp (n = 15) or wear somofilcon A daily disposable CL (n = 15) (‘group’). A surgical face mask (Type II R) was worn for at least one hour per day on four or more days per week. After two weeks, participants completed the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction Questionnaire (QIRC), a two-part face mask usability questionnaire and graded ocular-related symptoms using 0–100 visual analogue scales. ResultsThere was no difference between groups for overall QIRC score but some individual question scores reflected better quality of life in the CL: ‘outdoor activities’, ‘keep fit’ and ‘able to do things’ (all p < 0.05). Differences in favour of the CL were seen for the following in the face mask usability questionnaire: ‘breathing’, ‘heat’, ‘comfort on ears’, ‘overall comfort’, ‘walking’, ‘driving’, ‘reading’, ‘computer use’, ‘exercising’ and ‘socialising’ (all p < 0.05). Significant differences were also seen for the 0–100 VAS symptoms probing vision quality in favour of the CL: glare, distance and near vision, fogging, restricted field of view and peripheral blur. ConclusionThis work supports anecdotal reports that CL are a better vision correction option than Sp when used in conjunction with a face mask. Participants reported a range of benefits to the CL/face mask combination for vision-related symptoms, breathing and heat-related symptoms and a number of day-to-day activities including walking, driving and exercising. All of the benefits relating to the CL are likely to result in improved adherence to face mask use. Overall, the findings of this work suggest that where possible, CL should be the preferred vision correction option for people using face masks.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths world wide and widespread severe social disruption [1,2,3]
A statistically significant difference was found between groups for the vision correction wearing times with spectacles worn for a greater number of hours per day than contact lenses (F(1,28) = 4.7, p = 0.04)
short message service (SMS) responses showed that vision performance was significantly better in the contact lens compared to the spectacle group, in all like lihood due to all the reasons outlined above

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths world wide and widespread severe social disruption [1,2,3]. In the early stages of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation advised against the use of face masks by the general population because there was insufficient evidence to indicate that they were effective at controlling the spread of the virus. Studies have shown that the use of face masks by the general population has a positive impact in reducing viral transmission [12,13,14,15]. Face masks are thought to be effective because they reduce viral transmission by both source control (preventing a potentially infectious individual contaminating the surrounding environment) [16,17], and act as personal protective equipment (PPE), where the face mask re duces the risk of the wearer becoming infected as a result of filtration of inhaled air. A further benefit may relate to a reduced tendency for direct contact between the hands and the nose/

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