[What effect does a face mask have on the surface of the eye?] / Wat is het effect van een mondmasker op het oogoppervlak?

ABSTRACT

Face masks are widely used in dental practices, but little is known about the potential adverse effects of wearing a face mask, covering the mouth-and-nose area, on the condition of the eyes. During COVID-19 times, more eye-related complaints, such as irritated, burning or dry eyes, have been reported and observed as a result of the (mandatory) use of face masks, The combination of wearing a face mask and working on a computer appears to also cause more dry-eye complaints. Symptoms such as headache, double vision, blurry vision, irritated red eyes and/or dry eyes are often diagnosed under the collective term asthenopia, also called 'eye strain' in the literature in English. These work-related complaints are often accepted as 'normal', especially because they develop during the day. During the COVID-19 period, more knowledge has been gained about the use of face masks, face shields and eye health. It is therefore possible to consider whether personal protection with a face mask in the dental practice can cause eye-related complaints.