The Effect of Wearing an N95 Face Mask on Intraocular Pressure

To evaluate the effect of wearing an N95 mask on intraocular pressure.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 34 medical staff volunteers. After baseline eye examinations, all participants were asked to wear an N95 mask for 1 hour. Then, O ${}_2$ saturation, pulse rate, and blood pressure were evaluated, and sequential IOP measurements were performed using both iCare and Goldmann applanation tonometers. All measurements were taken again 1 hour after the mask was removed. Finally, all information was collected for statistical analysis.

A total of 34 participants (68 eyes) with a mean $\pm$ SD age of 38.97 (12.41) years were included. The mean value of IOP/GAT increased significantly by 1.20 mmHg after wearing the mask (12.50 to 13.70 mmHg, P-value $<$ 0.001) and then decreased significantly by 1.27 mmHg after removing the mask (13.70 to 12.43 mmHg, P-value $<$ 0.001). The mean O ${}_2$ saturation increased significantly from 96.4 with the mask to 97.05 after mask removal (P-value $<$ 0.001). Although the mean pulse rate decreased by about 1.5 units after removing the mask, the difference was not significant. The mean blood pressure decreased after removing the mask; however, the change was not statistically significant. Additionally, no significant relationship was found between the change in IOP and O ${}_2$ saturation.

The use of N95 face masks could substantially increase IOP and reduce O ${}_2$ saturation.