Warns against bandage ailments: – Three out of ten experience this

For many, wearing face masks and masks has become a very common part of everyday life during the pandemic.

It is a known fact that use can cause small bumps and pimples in the area around my mouth. With the increasing use of face masks, the incidence of facial acne, also known as a mask, has increased.

However, less known is that the use of masks can cause eye problems.

If your eyes feel dry, irritated, sore, or watery, it may actually be from the mask.

– We noticed an increase in the number of consultations related to eye problems, as it was mandatory to wear a mask this fall, says Katharina Pracon, who is a general practitioner in Volvat.

Clear context

Pracon says he hasn’t researched the connection between masks and eye problems, but speaks from experience.

– The reason more people experience discomfort now is probably that the air coming out of the nose and mouth is being pushed into the eyes by the mouthpiece. Thus, the eyes are exposed to a kind of constant wind that dries the eyes. This can lead to the tear film that protects the eyes from the disappearance of bacteria and the appearance of infections, explains Pracon.

Also, you end up rubbing your eyes more often if they feel dry.

She estimates that two to three out of ten experience mask-related eye problems.

– It is especially people who already experience exposure to sore or sensitive eyes, who now experience more frequent ailments. Some get it in a mild variant, while others may experience serious ailments, says the doctor.

The symptoms

With milder ailments, you notice that the eye is dry and itchy, according to Pracon.

If the bacteria have attached themselves to the eye first, they can also develop into cataracts or blepharitis.

– When you have cataracts, you usually wake up with a “grain of sand feeling” in your eye. The eye is often glued with plaster, which can also be in front of the eye throughout the day so that the vision becomes blurred. In addition, the eye becomes red and swollen, says the doctor.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, known as the “path” in folklore.

– Then there is an inflammation of the hair root in one of the eyelashes that gives it a tender freshness. It will grow larger and have a white dot in the middle. The eyelid becomes red and swollen and can be painful, he says.

If you have a trace in your eye, she recommends keeping a warm washcloth over your eye for fifteen minutes twice a day.

– If the problems do not go away on their own, you should see a doctor. If the inflammation is severe, it may be necessary to get antibiotic drops, Pracon says.

Every fifth Norwegian

According to ophthalmologist Sten Ræder from the Eye Health Clinic and Dry Eye Clinic, one in five Norwegians have problems with dry eyes.

This is often due to long days with bad indoor weather and prolonged viewing of television and computer screens. He also believes that masks can help more people experience symptoms.

– Although I do not have figures in this regard, a possible connection between the use of a mask and dry eyes has been reported. As airflow from the nose and mouth may increase, it may contribute to dry eyes. It’s a bit like air conditioning in a car, he says.

Also, it says that the mouthpiece can affect the lower lids so that it does not blink normally.

According to the ophthalmologist, the symptoms of dry eyes are usually pain, burning, burning, redness and tearing.

– In the most extreme cases, dry eyes can turn into inflammation. Then there may be wounds on the surface that need to be treated with medical eye drops, says Ræder.

Tips to counteract dry eyes

Fortunately, there are tips to prevent dry eyes or more severe inflammation from the mouthpiece.

– One tip is to use a soft tape or skin patch to reattach the transition between the skin and the top of the mouthpiece. Using artificial tear fluid to moisturize the eye can also help, says Ræder.

Pracon also emphasizes the importance of good hand hygiene as good prevention.

– Do not touch your eyes with dirty hands. Take breaks from the mouthpiece so your eyes can rest. Also, sitting in front of the screen all day in the home office is not particularly beneficial for our eyes. Taking breaks here can also be helpful, he says.