Evaluation of N95 respirator and surgical mask application on intraocular pressure and superficial retinal vessel density in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and superficial retinal vessel density after short-term application of N95 respirators or regular surgical masks in healthy subjects.

METHODS

Twenty-seven healthy subjects were recruited, and each received three interventions: without wearing a mask, wearing a regular surgical mask, and wearing an N95 respirator for 30 min. With a one-hour washout interval between mask conditions. IOP and superficial retinal vessel density were measured immediately before and after each intervention.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in IOP in either eye (analyzed on a per-eye basis, n = 54) after wearing a surgical mask or N95 respirator compared to the no-mask condition. No significant difference was found in superficial retinal vessel density of the inferior, superior, nasal, and temporal areas within a diameter of 3 mm centered on the macular fovea, nor in the foveal avascular zone within a diameter of 1 mm centered on the macular fovea of both eyes, across all three conditions.

CONCLUSION

Short-term (30-min) application of an N95 respirator or surgical mask does not significantly affect IOP or superficial retinal vessel density in healthy young adults. These findings provide preliminary evidence regarding the ocular safety of short-term mask use in this population.