Impact of Taping The Upper Mask Edge On Ocular Surface Stability and Dry Eye Symptoms

To evaluate the impact of taping the upper mask edge on ocular surface stability, dry eye symptomology, and tear osmolarity in N95 mask users.

Prospective interventional before-and-after study.

Fifty eyes of 50 health care workers regularly using N95 masks were included. Preintervention, ocular surface parameters, subjective dry eye score, and visual acuity were assessed at the end of an 8-hour shift when the subjects used an N95 face mask without taping the upper edge. Next day, the upper edge of the N95 mask was taped to the nasal bridge in all subjects at the beginning of the 8-hour shift, and postintervention assessment was performed after the shift. The primary outcome measure was change in noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT). Secondary outcome measures were change in the symptom score, tear lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, tear meniscus height (TMH), osmolarity, and visual acuity.

Mean age of the cohort was 26.7 ± 3.67 years. Post-taping, significantly better ocular surface stability was observed in terms of NIBUT (P < .001), TBUT (P < .001), LLT (P < .001), TMH (P = .01), corneal staining score (P = .001), and tear osmolarity (P = .04). There was no significant change in visual acuity, Schirmer I, and Ocular Surface Disease Index score (P > .05). Symptom improvement was reported by 68% patients (SANDE version 2), which correlated well with change in NIBUT (r = 0.38; P = .005), TMH (r = 0.37; P = .007), LLT (r = 0.35; P = .01), and TBUT (r = 0.28; P = .04).

Taping of the upper mask edge resulted in significantly better ocular surface stability, which correlated well with decrease in dry eye symptoms.