Impacts of protective face masks on ocular surface symptoms among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: To assess the impacts of prolonged protective face masks (PFM) wear on ocular surface symptoms among healthcare professionals (HCPs), and how these symptoms affected PFM wear. METHODS: Thirty-question survey forms were distributed via social media platform to 396 HCPs (110 doctors, 164 nurses, and 122 health technicians) between September 8 and 30, 2021. Participants who could not be reached via social media were given a face-to-face questionnaire. Aside from sociodemographic data, the questionnaire inquired about PFM wear, PFM types, ocular surface symptoms, and how PFM wear has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 74.5% of HCPs reported wearing PFMs, mostly surgical ones (76.8%), for half a day at work but not at home, with redness (29.3%) being the most frequently encountered ocular surface symptom, followed by burning (15.7%), pain (14.1%), tingling (10.9%), and rash (6.6%). The presence of associated restrictions in conjunction with PFM-related ocular symptoms was more likely in dry and hot environments. There was no significant relationship between PFM type, PFM-wearing duration, and HCPs' daily activities (p > 0.05). Despite the lack of a significant relationship between PFM types and ocular surface symptoms (p > 0.05), there was a significant relationship between PFM-wearing duration and ocular pain (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PFM-related ocular surface symptoms can be alleviated by properly wearing PFMs, reducing wear time, and using long-acting topical lubricants. This could improve PFM wear compliance, prevent disease transmission, and ultimately help with COVID-19 protection.

Retinal microvascular morphology versus COVID-19: What to anticipate?

BACKGROUND: To investigate retinal microvascular morphological changes in previously COVID-19 infected patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and compare the findings to age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, OCTA findings (6.0 × 6.0 mm scan size and scan quality index ≥7/10) from previously COVID-19 infected patients (group 1, 32 patients, 64 eyes) with ≥1 month of complete recovery were compared to healthy subjects (group 2, 33 subjects, 66 eyes) with no history of COVID-19 infection. A positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test on a naso-pharyngeal swab sample confirmed the diagnosis. The AngioVueAnalytics, RTVue-XR 2017.1.0.155 software measured and recorded OCTA parameters. RESULTS: Group 1 had significantly lower superficial capillary plexus vessel densities in all foveal regions than group 2 (P<0.05). Foveal deep capillary plexus vessel density in group 1 was also significantly lower than in group 2 (P=0.009); however, no significant differences were found in other regions (P>0.05). All foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters were higher in group 1 than in group 2, with significant differences in FAZ area (P=0.019) and foveal vessel density 300 µm area around FAZ (P=0.035), but not FAZ perimeter (P=0.054). The outer retina and choriocapillaris flows were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prior COVID-19 infection seems to be associated with significant changes in retinal microvascular density, as well as FAZ and flow parameters, which may be attributed to different pathogenic mechanisms that lead to SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as thrombotic microangiopathy and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 disruption.

How Traumatic is Intravitreal Ozurdex Injection?

Background: This study intended to illustrate a rare case of pyogenic granuloma (PG) in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patient after dexamethasone (DEX) implant therapy.Case Description: A 58-year-old female who underwent DEX implant therapy a month ago due to RVO presented with a mass in her right eye. Anterior segment analysis revealed a slowly enlarging, round, fleshy vascular mass indicating PG located at the injection site. Although surgical excision was planned, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a patient could not come for surgery. Ocular examination revealed a spontaneous PG disappearance three months later. A small mass could, however, be detected using an anterior segment optical coherence tomography.Conclusion: While superficial PG regression can only be observed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, extensive root ingrowth can be clearly differentiated by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Besides, depending on the nature, size, location, and associated symptoms, some PG may be left to regress but with close monitoring.