Affectation of quality of life associated with the state of the ocular surface due to the use of masks

Authors

  • Marta Sancho Larraz Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Física Aplicada, España. Autor/a
  • Alejandro Blasco Martínez Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Física Aplicada, España. Hospital Provincial Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Zaragoza, España. Autor/a
  • José Manuel Larrosa Povés Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Física Aplicada, España. Hospital Provincial Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Zaragoza, España. Autor/a

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71413/5ht4t507

Keywords:

Face mask, Ocular Surface, Symptoms, COVID-19

Abstract

Relevance: This study evaluates the impact of mask use during the Covid-19 pandemic on the ocular surface, at a subjective level.
Purpose: To assess symptoms compatible with dry eye syndrome in patients wearing masks (MADE Syndrome), by comparing subjective measured variables (questionnaires) between patients without masks, with masks, and those who have undergone cataract surgery with masks. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate some psychological symptoms in mask-wearing patients and compare them with patients not using masks.
Methods: Subjects were males and females over 18 years old. All subjects with ophthalmological pathologies, ocular surface alterations, or undergoing topical ocular treatment other than artificial tears were excluded. The population was divided into three groups: healthy group without masks (64 subjects), mask-wearing group (58 subjects), and mask-wearing group who underwent cataract surgery one month ago (36 subjects). Three demographic questions were asked to all patients, followed by the completion of three questionnaires to carry out the symptomatic study (adapted CLDEQ-8 test for mask use, OSDI, and SANDE), and a questionnaire to evaluate psychological status (BSI test).
Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the SANDE test (p-value<0.01) when comparing the healthy group with the mask-wearing group without cataract surgery. A significant increase in depression and psychoticism index was also observed in the mask-wearing group compared to the non-mask-wearing group. When comparing the healthy group with the mask-wearing and operated group, significant differences (p-value<0.01) were obtained in the SANDE test. No statistically significant results were observed when comparing between the two mask-wearing groups.
Conclusions: Symptomatic tests suggest that mask use has increased symptoms similar to those observed in EOS compared to non-use, confirming the MADE syndrome. The increase in the depression and psychoticism index in the mask-wearing group compared to the non-mask-wearing group could be explained by the situation experienced throughout the confinement period.

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Additional Files

Published

2024-06-09

How to Cite

1.
Affectation of quality of life associated with the state of the ocular surface due to the use of masks. Optom Clin y Cienc Vis [Internet]. 2024 Jun. 9 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];2(1):22-30. Available from: https://revistaoccv.com/index.php/occv/article/view/9

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