Effect of FFP2/N95 facemask wear on retinal and choroidal thickness profile in healthy subjects
Betul Onal Gunay1, Irfan Akalin1, Ahmet Kalkisim1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Sciences, Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon 61040, Turkey.
Aim:
To investigate the influence of non-oil 95 (N95)/filtering facepiece 2 (FFP2) facemask wear on retinal thickness, choroidal thickness (CT), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT) in healthy subjects.
Methods:
In this prospective study, 53 healthy participants who used FFP2/N95 facemask were enrolled. Participants underwent optical coherence tomography imaging before and at 1 and 4h following FFP2/N95 facemask wear. The last imaging session was performed 1h after FFP2/N95 removal. Retinal thickness, CT, RNFLT, and GCLT were assessed at each session. Vital parameters were also assessed.
Results:
The pulse rate of the subjects significantly decreased at 1 and 4h compared to baseline values (P<0.05). No significant changes in retinal thickness, RNFLT, and GCLT were observed in the study. CT profile showed a significant increase at all measured locations except 1-mm temporal, 1-mm inferior and 2-mm inferior points following FFP2/N95 wear which turned to baseline values after FFP2/N95 removal. Pulse rate and CT changes at 4h were significantly correlated (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Parasympathetic activation during FFP2/N95 facemask wear might have a role on elevated CT measurements in healthy individuals by virtue of increased choroidal blood flow.
