Wearing masks protects us from the virus but can have consequences on eye health: in fact, cases of dry eye syndrome increase. What it is and the advice of the experts.
Unimamme, the Covid emergency puts at risk not only the people who are affected, but also those who report indirect consequences. For example we have learned that it can compromise the health of ours feet or promote an acne problem.
Now another secondary effect of the continuation of this situation emerges.
Dry eye syndrome: the effect of masks during the pandemic
We are talking about the Dry eye syndrome, a phenomenon that is on the rise and usually occurs after the age of 50.
The first to talk about this syndrome in relation to the use of masks were the experts of Center for Ocular Research & Education (CORE).
The reports date back early last summer and eventually after an investigation it was concluded that the dry eye can be a problem for a large part of the population.
In addition to worsening symptoms in patients with pre-existing Dry Eye Syndrome, the con the mask can affect other aspects:
- the elderly who have a lower quality tear film,
- contact lens wearers
- and people who have to wear the mask for a long time in air-conditioned environments.
People also can be encourage to rub eyes with dirty hands and this increases the chances of coronavirus infections through the nose, mouth, and less likely the eyes.
To suffer from this syndrome is the 20-30% of the population, with a clear prevalence of women. In fact, women suffer twice as much as men.
Unfortunately, the need to use the mask to defend ourselves from Covid does not improve the situation at all, quite the contrary. This led to think of a new definition: Mask associated dry eye, MADE.
In fact, if worn incorrectly, the mask can cause a flow of air that goes back to pressure from the mouth towards the eye, increasing eye dryness.
Translating the infographic we have:
Cause:
- the breathed air leaves the upper part of the mask and ends up on the surface of the eye
- the movement of air over the eye causes the tears to evaporate, leaving the surface of the eye dry
- the eye may be dry, grainy, irritated, itchy, and red
Solutions:
- make sure the mask fits well, consider attaching the top of the mask for prolonged use
- lubricating the eyes can help, consult an expert on this
- limit your stay in air-conditioned rooms and take breaks from electronic tools
Finally, experts advise not to rub your eyes with dirty hands.
READ ALSO: ONCOLOGISTS ALARM: RISK OF CANCER BOOM AFTER COVID PANDEMIC
Rita Mencucci, ophthalmologist at the Careggi University Hospital of Florence su Andkronos explains:“This mechanism could be particularly harmful in subjects at risk, such as moles video terminalist, in contact lens wearers, in menopausal women“.
The specialist then invites you to wear the masks correctly, so that it adheres well to the face.
Also invite those with problems to use artificial tears and if you use the VDU you have to to use the 20-20-20 rule, ie every 20 minutes take a 20 second break looking 6 meters away.
Dry eye syndrome also occurs after having a cataract, 30% of patients who undergo this surgery suffer from it.
An Italian study, published in Advances in theraphy, has shown that treating a patient who has to undergo cataract surgery with:
- vitamina D, A,
- omega 3 and
- liposomes
they help alleviate post-operative problems.
Mencucci also explains that the incidence of dry eye cases in patients who then undergo cataract surgery is 40%.
Paolo Fogagnolo, ophthalmologist at the University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital and lead author of the study explains that dry eye after cataract surgery can be something transitory.
Unimamme, what do you think of this effect of the pandemic? Has it happened to you?
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