Effect of FFP2/N95 facemask wear on retinal and choroidal thickness profile in healthy subjects
Author:
Corresponding Author:

Betul Onal Gunay. Trabzon Kanuni Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Inonu Mah., Maras Cad., Ortahisar, Trabzon 61040, Turkey. drbetulonal@yahoo.com

Affiliation:

Clc Number:

Fund Project:

  • Article
  • |
  • Figures
  • |
  • Metrics
  • |
  • Reference
  • |
  • Related
  • |
  • Cited by
  • |
  • Materials
  • |
  • Comments
    Abstract:

    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.

    Reference
    Related
    Cited by
Get Citation

Betul Onal Gunay, Irfan Akalin, Ahmet Kalkisim, et al. Effect of FFP2/N95 facemask wear on retinal and choroidal thickness profile in healthy subjects. Int J Ophthalmol, 2022,15(11):1821-1828

Copy
Share
Article Metrics
  • Abstract:
  • PDF:
  • HTML:
  • Cited by:
Publication History
  • Received:May 21,2022
  • Revised:September 08,2022
  • Adopted:
  • Online: October 25,2022
  • Published: