Comparison of Visual Field in Healthy Eyes with Surgical Mask Usage in Different Ways

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease pandemic has affected the way of life and health system. The use of face masks can reduce the spread of the virus, however, improper fitted masks reported results in inferior visual field artifacts. The effect of wearing a properly fitted face mask remains unclear. Objective: To compare the sensitivity in 21 points mostly in the inferior field of visual field in healthy eyes under two conditions of ear-loop surgical face mask use. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six participants, with 36 healthy eyes, underwent computerized visual field testing using the program SITA Standard 24-2. The participants were instructed to wear masks at the lowest position that covered the nose with sealed tape along the entire length of the superior border for the first two tests and unsealed tape for the third test. The sensitivity of the visual field was analyzed and compared between the two groups. Furthermore, factors that may affect the sensitivity of the visual field were investigated. Results: The present study showed statistically significant differences in the two test points of the sensitivity of the visual field, namely, the inferonasal and superonasal areas of the visual field between the two groups. Fogging and displacement of the mask were observed when the mask was worn without adhesive tape. Conclusion: Wearing a surgical face mask with the mask placed in a low position and covering the nose with adhesive tape, can reduce fogging and prevent the displacement of the mask. This may reduce the incidence of mask-related artifacts and eliminate the pseudo-progression of visual field assessment.