Effect of Taping Face Masks on Quantitative Particle Counts Near the Eye: Implications for Intravitreal Injections in the COVID-19 Era.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the effect of taping the top of face masks on air particle counts directed toward the eye during simulated intravitreal injections.

Design

Prospective observational crossover study.

Methods

Thirteen healthy subjects were recruited. Each wore a cloth, surgical, or N95 mask in randomized order. The number of air particles were quantified by using a particle counter suspended over the right eye while each subject breathed normally, deeply, or spoke using a standardized script. Particle counts were obtained with the top of each mask taped and not taped. The main outcome measurements were particle counts of 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 μm and total particle counts.

Results

Taping cloth masks while subjects were speaking significantly reduced partic

SUBMITTER: Schultheis WG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9671404 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature