20/20 Seems A Little Foggy: Mask Associated Dry Eye Phenomenon
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt our country has been through some extremely troubling and uncertain times. Schools, restaurants, fitness gyms, athletics, social and family gatherings, and much more had come to a screeching halt to help protect ourselves and one another from propagating the spread of the virus. As organizations and businesses start to reopen, wearing facial masks in public has become the “new normal” to tamper down on the incidence of COVID-19 cases and ultimately mitigate the contagion.
As much of the exhaled airflow from our mouths is being redirected upwards towards our eyes while wearing a mask, which is evident when your eyeglasses become fogged, the already common problem of dry eye has become an even bigger issue lately. In fact, this mask-associated dry eye phenomenon has resulted in a recent surge in patients in the office complaining of dry eye symptoms, including blurry vision, foreign body sensation, grittiness, tearing, light sensitivity, and more. Recently, office visits to the ophthalmologist, like myself, seem to be dominated with discussion and treatment plans on how to improve the struggle against dry eye.
Similar to having a fan or wind blow air into your face, the exhaled breath that gets directed towards your eyes can cause a significant evaporative effect on your tear film. As the tear film evaporates prematurely, the surface of your cornea begins to develop inflammation, which is the basis of why most people suffer from dry eye syndrome. This issue is further exacerbated by other pandemic-related lifestyle changes, such as prolonged screen time, which causes incomplete blinking leading to worsening dry eye.
The treatment strategy for dry eye is multifactorial and should be tailored to the individual patient. The underlying cause of dry eye, whether it be related to a systemic condition, medications, prior eye surgeries, and/or eyelid-related issues, should be addressed and prioritized. In the case of mask-associated dry eye, patients can try to wear masks with a nose-wire to better conform the mask to their nose and cheeks or by using medical tape to provide a better seal around the nose. In addition, it is important to take frequent breaks away from the computer screen and avoid eye strain. There are several eye drops to help temporarily alleviate dry eye symptoms, preferably preservative-free artificial tears which can be found over-the-counter. Prescription eye drops, such as Restasis and Xiidra, can be beneficial to some by treating the inflammation associated with a dry ocular surface. Insertion of a silicone plug in the tear duct, placed by an ophthalmologist in the office, can also be an option to increase the natural lubrication of the eyes.
If you are experiencing any of the mentioned ocular symptoms, it is strongly suggested to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist. Call for a new patient consultation at 908-952-0444 or visit https://www.abessieye.com/contactus.