Effect of face mask on topographic corneal parameters in healthy individuals

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate whether the use of masks has an effect on the measurement of corneal topographic parameters.

Methods

A study including healthy patients with no previous ocular diseases or surgeries was conducted. Corneal topography was evaluated with an elevation topography Pentacam Scheimpflug. Four measurements were taken: two measurements with face mask and another two measurements after 10 min without wearing the face mask. The following parameters were evaluated: anterior topographic flat meridian (K1), anterior topographic steepest meridian (K2), mean keratometry (Km) and maximum keratometric point (Kmax).

Results

Thirty-five eyes of thirty-five healthy individuals were included; with a mean age of 33.5 ± 13.8 years (range 24–66) and 26 (74%) being female. Mean time with face-mask was 3.8 ± 2.2 h (range 1–8). No differences in mean K1, K2, Km and Kmax with and without face-mask were noted (paired t-test, all, p > 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were excellent for all four analyzed parameters (ICC > 0.914), although they were lower when measurements with face-mask were considered.

Conclusions

Although tear film alterations with the use of face-mask have been described in the literature, no significant differences can be noted in topographic variables.