EFFECT OF USE OF FACE MASK ON VISUAL ACUITY

ABSTRACT

Face masks are part of a comprehensive package of preventive and control measures that limit the spread of the Coronavirus Disease-19. There has been emerging evidence of facemask-associated ophthalmic symptoms and changes in ocular parameters. The aim of this study is to identify the oculovisual symptoms associated with the use of face masks and evaluate changes in intraocular pressure and visual acuity.This study is a one-group pretest-posttest experimental study that was conducted in the Optometry Clinic, University of Benin using 100 conveniently sampled participants. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed. Measurements of distance, near visual acuity, and intraocular pressure were taken twice, before and after wearing a face mask for 30 minutes. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS using a p-value of <0.05.  86 participants used surgical masks, 8 used KN95 face masks, and 6 used fabric face masks. Ocular discomfort (78%) was the most reported symptom and is proportionally more common in the surgical face mask group (81.4%, p=0.050). The use of eyeglasses with face masks increased complaints of blurry vision (p=0.018). KN95 was found to significantly increase intraocular pressure (p=0.049) while other face masks did not affect visual acuity and intraocular pressure. There was no association between face mask fit and changes in visual acuity and intraocular pressure.This study found that face mask is associated with complaints of oculovisual symptoms and face mask did not significantly affect visual acuity or intraocular pressure. These results will help inform optometric practice in situations where face masks must be worn by patients during clinical assessment.