Assessment of dry eye disease in N95 versus surgical face mask wearers during COVID-19

Purpose: Investigating the effect of different face masks on dry eye disease (DED) among healthcare workers during the COVID?19 pandemic. Methods: This was a comparative, cross?sectional study. Participants were included into two groups: group 1 (n = 30) wore surgical masks, and group 2 (n = 30) wore N95 masks with face shields. Demographic and ocular surface disease index questionnaires (OSDI) were performed. In addition, Tear break?up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, and meibography to assess meibomian gland loss (MGL) were performed on all participants. Independent T?test was used to compare continuous parameters and Chi?square test for categorical variables. The relationship between continuous variables was tested using bivariate Pearson correlation. Results: Sixty healthcare workers participated in this study (36 females and 24 males). The mean (±SD) age of the surgical mask and N95 groups was 35.33 (±14.94) and 36.63 (±10.64) years, respectively. Both masks caused dryness according to TBUT, MGL, and OSDI scores. DED per DEWS II definition was observed in 14 (46.7%) and 16 (53.3%) patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Comparing the two groups, N95 mask caused significantly more dryness according to TBUT (P = 0.042) and fluorescein staining (P = 0.038 for the right eye and P = 0.015 for the left eye). Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of the potential dry eye signs secondary to face mask wear during the COVID?19 pandemic. Further attention should be taken in patients who suffer from preexisting dry eye syndrome and in patients who undergo intraocular operations

Dilemas sobre o uso da máscara facial no pós-pandemia: uma medida preventiva e controle de doenças respiratórias infectocontagiosas / Dilemmas about the use of face masks in post-pandemic times: a preventive measure and control of infectious and contagious respiratory diseases

Objetivou-se compreender os motivos da adesão ou não do participante ao uso da máscara em caso de ter alguma "gripe"; conhecer as ações realizadas pelos participantes para evitar a transmissão quando apresentavam os sintomas de gripe antes da pandemia; identificar a opinião dos participantes sobre o usos de máscara antes da pandemia; verificar as sensações quanto ao uso de máscara facial na pandemia e averiguar a aceitação da população quanto ao uso de máscara facial em caso de sintomas de doenças respiratórias infectocontagiosas na pós-pandemia. Consiste-se em um estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 62 participantes usuários de transporte coletivo. Utilizou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas no mês de outubro de 2020. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise segundo a fenomenologia social e categorizados conforme abordagem fenomenológica. As motivações para usar a máscara em locais públicos em caso de gripe na pós-pandemia, mostram a preocupação com a prevenção e a proteção consigo e com outros. A não adesão refere-se à dificuldade no convívio social e o desconforto. Assim, compreende-se que o autocuidado esteve presente entre vários discursos dos participantes e que quase a totalidade dos participantes, em caso de "gripe" utilizarão a máscara depois da pandemia. Conclui-se que a educação da população relacionada ao uso de máscara facial na pós-COVID-19, em locais públicos, visando diminuir a disseminação e a contaminação pelas doenças respiratórias infectocontagiosas é primordial.

The objective of this study was to understand the reasons for the participant's adherence or not to the use of mask in case of catching a "flu"; to analyze the actions taken by the participants to avoid transmission when they had flu symptoms before the pandemic; identify the opinion of the participants on the use of masks before the pandemic; to verify the general feeling towards the use of a face mask in the pandemic, and to verify the acceptance of the population regarding the use of a face mask in case of symptoms of infectious and contagious respiratory diseases in post-pandemic times. This consists of a descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out with 62 participants who use public transportation. Semi-structured interviews were used in October 2020. The data collected were subjected to analysis according to social phenomenology and categorized according to a phenomenological approach. The motivations for wearing the mask in public places in case of flu in post-pandemic times show the concern with prevention and protection for themselves and others. Non-adherence refers to difficulty in socializing and discomfort. Thus, it is understood that self-care was present among several answers and that almost all the participants, in case of a "flu", will wear a mask after the pandemic. It is concluded that instructing the population regarding the use of a face mask in public places in post-COVID-19 times in order to reduce the spread and contamination by infectious and contagious respiratory diseases is of paramount importance.

Negative pressure drainage relieves respiratory discomfort for patients with medical face masks under ocular surgeries during COVID-19 / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To report our precaution practices for ocular surgeries under local anesthesia during COVID-19 outbreak and evaluate the respiration situation among the patients with medical face masks under ocular surgeries.<p>METHODS:Sixty Chinese patients needed eye surgery treatment were recruited and given medical face masks as one of the COVID-19 precaution practices during eye surgery with local anesthesia. Oxygen supplementation and negative pressure drainage were applied to relieve the potential respiratory discomfort, and the respiratory comfort score was evaluated.<p>RESULTS:Patients with medical face masks experienced mild to moderate respiratory discomfort with an overall mean score of 2.34±0.73. Supplementation of oxygen together with negative pressure drainage relieved this discomfort(overall mean score of 0.15±0.75; <i>P</i><0.001). There is no gender and operation time difference on respiratory discomfort or discomfort relieve. Failure in negative pressure drainage led to severe respiratory discomfort.<p>CONCLUSION:Negative pressure drainage could maintain the respiratory circulation in patients with medical face mask under eye surgery with local anesthesia. Application of medical face masks in patients under surgeries is recommended to protect the medical practitioners during the operations within COVID-19 outbreak.

Máscaras caseiras na pandemia de COVID-19: recomendações, características físicas, desinfecção e eficácia de uso / Mascarillas caseras en la pandemia de COVID-19: recomendaciones, características físicas, desinfección y eficacia de uso / Homemade masks in the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations, physical characteristics, disinfection and efficacy

Objetivo: Descrever as recomendações, características físicas, métodos de desinfecção e eficácia de uso de máscaras caseiras na redução da transmissão da COVID-19. Métodos: Realizou-se busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, SciELO e Google Scholar, além das recomendações oficiais de uso. Resultados: Foram incluídas 31 referências. A capacidade de filtração de tecidos variou entre 5% e 98%. Tecidos 100% algodão em duas ou três camadas apresentaram eficácia de filtração entre 70% e 99% em estudos in vitro. Máscaras caseiras, cirúrgicas e respiradores apresentaram respirabilidade entre 2,2 e 3,0 Pascal. A capacidade de redução da propagação de microrganismos por pessoas usando máscaras caseiras foi três vezes menor do que usando máscaras cirúrgicas, embora tenha sido superior ao não uso de máscaras. Conclusão: A respirabilidade de máscaras caseiras mostrou-se adequada, enquanto a capacidade de filtração parece ser inferior à das máscaras cirúrgicas, mas superior a não se usar máscara. Não há evidências que respaldem a eficácia e efetividade das máscaras caseiras.

Objetivo: Describir las recomendaciones, características físicas, métodos de desinfección y efectividad de mascarillas caseras para reducir la transmisión de COVID-19. Métodos: La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos MEDLINE, SciELO y Google Scholar, además de las recomendaciones oficiales de uso. Resultados: Se incluyeron 31 referencias. La capacidad de filtración de los tejidos varió entre 5% y 98%. Los tejidos al 100% de algodón, en dos o tres capas, mostraron eficiencia de filtración entre 70% y 99%, en estudios in vitro. Mascarillas caseras, quirúrgicas y de respiradores mostraron respirabilidad entre 2,2 y 3,0 Pascal. La capacidad de reducir la propagación de microorganismos por personas que usan máscarillas caseras fue tres veces menor que cuando usaban mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no usarlas. Conclusión: La respirabilidad de las mascarillas caseras puede ser adecuada, mientras que la eficiencia de filtración parece ser inferior a la de las mascarillas quirúrgicas, pero superior a no utilizar mascarilla. No hay evidencia que respalde su eficacia y efectividad.

Objective: To describe the recommendations, physical characteristics, disinfection methods and efficacy of the use of homemade face masks to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, SciELO, and Google Scholar, in addition to the official recommendations for the use of masks. Results: Thirty-one references were included. Fabric filtration efficiency ranged from 5% to 98%. The filtration efficacy of three layered 100% cotton fabric face masks ranged from 70% and 99% in vitro studies. Homemade, surgical, and respirator masks showed breathability between 2.2 and 3.0 Pascal. The capacity to reduce the spread of microorganisms by people wearing homemade face masks was three times lower when compared to those wearing surgical masks, although this capacity was higher when compared to those who did not wear masks. Conclusion: The breathability of homemade masks proved to be adequate, while the filtration ability seemed to be lower than that of surgical masks, but it was better than not wearing any masks at all. There is no evidence to support the efficacy and effectiveness of homemade masks.

Universal masking during covid-19 pandemic - current evidence and controversies

ABSTRACT The emergence of coronavirus disease 19 pandemic and novel research on the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has raised controversies over the use of face masks to prevent community transmission. Specific regulations need to be fulfilled to use a face mask as part of the personal protective equipment and high quality of evidence supporting its use to prevent respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, is lacking. However, its widespread use is becoming a standard practice in some countries and discrepancies between health authorities on their policy have led to controversy. The aim of this review is to provide an outlook on recent research in this matter and areas of opportunity.

Antiviral Face Masks for the Prevention of Influenza Infection: a Meta-analysis / General Medicine

<b>Objective: </b>We performed a meta-analysis to examine the effectiveness of face masks for preventing influenza infection.<br><b>Methods: </b>A literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials that compared the incidence of influenza infection among family members with and without the use of antiviral face masks; some trials also contained the use of hand hygiene in the intervention group. Data from each trial were combined using a random effects model with the DerSimonian-Laird method to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).<br><b>Results: </b>The meta-analysis included seven randomized controlled trials that met our inclusion criteria. With the use of antiviral face masks, the pooled ORs (95% CIs) of laboratory proven infection were 0.69 (0.22–2.18). The pooled ORs (95% CIs) of influenza-like illness (ILI) were 1.07 (0.65–1.78). With the use of antiviral face masks and concomitant hand hygiene, the pooled ORs (95% CIs) of laboratory proven infection were 0.70 (0.35–1.39) in early intervention cases, and 0.93 (0.66–1.30) in all cases. The pooled ORs (95% CIs) of ILI were 1.01 (0.47–2.19) in early intervention cases, and 1.06 (0.53–2.13) in all cases.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>No statistically significant differences were detected in the incidence of influenza infection by wearing antiviral face masks, suggesting that distribution of face masks in primary care settings may not be enough to prevent influenza-like illnesses amongst family members.