Abstract

Mask-associated dry eye

Dry eye syndrome is a condition associated with insufficient secretion of the water layer, excessive evaporation or abnormal composition of the tear film, which causes the tear film to improperly moisturize the eye surface and dry out the conjunctiva and cornea, thus leading to serious complications.

It is a disease of civilization and affects 5–34% of people, depending on the studied population, manifesting itself more often in the elderly up to 70%.

From 2020, attention has been given to another factor causing dry eye syndrome and it is associated with the wearing of protective masks. People who use masks on a regular basis and for a long time are the most exposed to possible eye problems. Incorrect, loose fit of the mask to the face causes an increased air flow around the eyes and increases the evaporation of the tear film.

People with disorders of the lipid layer of the tear film, especially glasses wearers, are the most vulnerable to the symptoms, most likely due to the increased flow of exhaled air between the glasses and the eye. If there are symptoms related to dry eyes as a result of wearing a mask, it is recommended to use moisturizing drops and wipes or lotions to clean edges of the eyelids.

Piśmiennictwo

  1. Messmer EM. The Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2015;112:71-82
  2. Ding J, Sullivan DA. Aging and dry eye disease. Exp Gerontol 2012;47(7):483-90
  3. Moshirfar M, West Jr WB, Marx DP. Face Mask-Associated Ocular Irritation and Dryness. Ophthalmol Ther 2020;9:397-400
  4. Marinova E, Dabov D, Zdravkov Y. Ophthalmic complaints in face-mask wearing: prevalence, treatment, and prevention with a potential protective effect against SARS-CoV-2. Biotechnology & Biotechnologycal Equipment 2020;34(1):1323-35
  5. White DE. BLOG: MADE: A new coronavirus-associated eye disease. https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20200622/blog-a-new-coronavirusassociated-eye-disease
  6. Xia C, Meng Q, Liu LZ, et al. Reactive oxygen species regulate angiogenesis and tumor growth through vascular endothelial growth factor. Cancer Res 2007;67(22):10823-30
  7. Fialkow L, Wang Y, Downey GP. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as signaling molecules regulating neutrophil function. Free Radic Biol Med 2007;42(2):153-64
  8. Giannaccare G, Vaccaro S, Mancini A, et al. Dry eye in the COVID-19 era: how the measures for controlling pandemic might harm ocular surface. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020;258:2567-8
  9. Baris ME, Guven S, Yilmaz S, et al. Impact of prologed face mask wearing on tear break-up time and dry eye symptoms in health care professionals. Int Ophthalmol 2022;42:2141-4
  10. Krolo I, Blazeka M, Merdzo I, et al. Mask-Associated Dry Eye During COVID-19 Pandemic-How Face Masks Contribute to Dry Eye Disease Symptoms. Med Arch 2021;75(2):144-8
  11. Boccardo L. Self-reported symptoms of mask-associated dry eye: A survey study of 3,605 people. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2022;45(2):101408
Do góry