Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.15644/asc57/2/4

Prolonged Face Mask Wearing Worsens Self-Reported Dry Eye Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Dental Healthcare Practitioners

Ivanka Petric Vicković orcid.org/0000-0003-3412-133X ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice Zagreb, Croatia; Chair of Ophthalmology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Luka Šimunović orcid.org/0000-0003-2848-6041 ; Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Vodanović orcid.org/0000-0002-1935-8657 ; Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia; University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
Bruno Špiljak orcid.org/0000-0003-2545-4474 ; Private dental office, Zagreb, Croatia
Lea Patekar orcid.org/0009-0006-7280-953X ; Private dental office, Zagreb, Croatia
Barbara Ovčarić orcid.org/0009-0006-2505-2001 ; Private dental office, Zagreb, Croatia
Antonija Mendeš orcid.org/0009-0007-3951-8260 ; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Krolo orcid.org/0000-0003-4371-7397 ; Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate self-reported MADE during the COVID-19 pandemic in dental healthcare practitioners and identify their possible risk factors. Material and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to doctors of dental medicine in the time period from February 2022 to August 2022. The online questionnaire included demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics: presence and deterioration of DED symptoms while wearing the face mask, personal protective face equipment, use of contact lenses, history of eye surgery, current use of medica-tions, number of hours wearing face mask, and evaluation of subjective DED symptoms using modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: A total of 405 participants were included in the study and an overall prevalence of MADE was 29.1% (95% CI: 24.7 - 33.6). The participants who used masks more than 6 hours per day during the whole day reported a higher OSDI score (12.5 (IQR = 2.6 – 29.2)) compared to the participants who used masks less than 6 hours/day (6.25 (IQR = 0 – 22.92); Mann-Whitney U Test p = 0.066). Multivariable logistic regression revealed the following possible risk factors for self-reported MADE: age (older than 61 years) OR: 3.522 (95% CI 1.448 -8.563); p=0.05, and wearing the face mask more than 6 h at work OR: 1.779 (95% CI 1.017 – 3.113); p=0.044. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported MADE among dental healthcare practitioners appears to be significant. The use of a face mask for a prolonged duration increases OSDI scores. MeSH Terms: face masks, dry eye, MADE, ocular discomfort, COVID-19, protective face equipment.

Keywords

Masks; Dry Eye Syndromes; Dentists

Hrčak ID:

304404

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/304404

Publication date:

21.6.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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