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.

Histopathological Evaluation of Pterygium Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to histopathologically compare patients with and without diabetes mellitus who underwent pterygium excision. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 60 patients with a history of pterygium excision were divided into 2 groups: those with DM and those without DM. Histopathological findings (squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, inflammation, fibrinoid changes, and vascularization) were compared. RESULTS: The mean age of the 60 patients (females, 54.5%) included in the study was 58.6±12.8 years. The mean age was 53.7±13.7 years in the patients with DM and 63.6±9.6 years in the patients without DM. There were no significant differences in the excised pterygium tissues in terms of squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, fibrinoid changes, inflammation, or vascularization. CONCLUSION: There was no histopathological difference in the pterygium tissue in patients with DM.