| Summary: | PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is evaluating the effects of wearing face masks on ocular health
among medical students in the current COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study includes 147
students in total, all are from Medical University in Pleven. They were interviewed anonymously about
their eye health and comfort during periods of wearing face masks. RESULTS: Findings of the study
highlighted that wearing face masks for prolonged periods decreases eye comfort levels. Most common
presenting complaints were dryness, grittiness, scratchiness, soreness, burning and watering. Almost one
quarter of interviewed students sometimes experienced eye fatigue or ocular discomfort. Severity of
symptoms was described as “tolerable” in 30.8%, “uncomfortable” in 13%. Of the asked students 25.4%
answered that their symptoms were getting worse while being with a protective face mask. In terms of
longest uninterrupted time wearing face masks, results show: almost 20% reported more than 5 hours
without break. CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion of this study, it was observed that eye health and dry
eye symptoms among medical students was adversely affected by wearing full face covering protective
masks during the pandemic situation, which interferes with the quality of life and is an emerging public
health issue.
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