Mask

  Masks with a malleable nose-wire should be utilized, with special care taken to fit the curvature of the wire to prevent air from being directed into the eyes. Masks can also be taped at the top to restrict upward airflow, although care must be given to ensure that lower lid excursion is not hampered.  Patients who experience dry eye symptoms after wearing a mask for an extended period of time should take breaks every few hours to remove the mask, allow the eyes to recover, and reapply lubricant eye drops. Emollient eye drops, which preserve the tear film, may be the most helpful in preventing symptoms. Exercises involving blinking may also be effective. With COVID-19 and associated face mask use expected to continue for a long time, eye dryness, irritation, and keratopathy from mask wear may become an issue for a considerable proportion of the population. This mask-associated ocular irritation, if present, raises concerns about eye health and increases the risk of disease t...