Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

The Effects of Long-Term N95 Mask Use on Contrast Sensitivity, Distance and Near Visual Acuity

Gonul Karatas Durusoy* and Gulsah Gumus

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of long-term N95 mask use on contrast sensitivity, best-corrected distance visual acuity, and near visual acuity.

Method: This cross-sectional study included healthy participants, who were between 20-40 years of age, had BCVA between 20/20-20/16, spherical or cylindrical refraction errors less than 2 diopters, and normal intraocular pressure. Contrast sensitivity, best-corrected distance visual acuity and near visual acuity measurements before wearing an N95 mask and after the participant wore an N95 mask for at least 3 hours mask were compared.

Result: The study included 55 eyes from 55 healthy participants and the mean age of participants was 31.54 years ± 5.48 years (21 years-39 years). The differences in near visual acuitiy and contrast sensitivity between before mask use and 3 hours of N95 mask use were statistically significant (p<0.05 for both). However, there was no significant difference in best-corrected distance visual acuity, spherical and cylindrical refractive error.

Conclusion: Long-term use of masks did not cause a significant decrease in best-corrected distance visual acuity or change in spherical and cylindrical refractive error. However, significant decreases were observed in near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.

Published Date: 2024-09-26; Received Date: 2023-01-04