{"id":20489,"date":"2022-01-23T11:54:02","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T11:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20489"},"modified":"2022-01-23T11:54:02","modified_gmt":"2022-01-23T11:54:02","slug":"covid-masks-causing-dry-eyes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/covid-19\/covid-masks-causing-dry-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID Masks Causing Dry Eyes?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Face masks are an important line of defense against COVID-19, but they are also causing a surge in dry eye cases.<\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Here are a few tips to avoid dry eyes.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Since the beginning of the COVID-pandemic, mask-wearing has become a global strategy to prevent the spread of infection. But, while masks help to protect us from infectious droplets, they can also lead to uncomfortable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/\">dry eye symptoms.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is dry eye?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>About 50% of the adult population suffers from dry eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Dry eye can occur when the quantity or quality of your tears becomes compromised\u2014 usually as a result of another eye condition such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/eyelid-conditions\/meibomian-gland-dysfunction\/\">meibomian gland dysfunction<\/a>, or other risk factors, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Older age<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Daily prolonged screen time<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Contact lens wear<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Autoimmune disease<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Sjogren\u2019s syndrome<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When dry eyes become a chronic issue, the condition is referred to as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome\/\"> dry eye syndrome (DES).\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are the symptoms of dry eye?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>The most common symptoms of dry eye include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Dry eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Red eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/conjunctivitis-and-eye-infections\/why-do-my-eyes-feel-gritty\/\">Gritty eyes<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Itchy eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Irritated or sore eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Excessive tearing<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Excessive blinking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>SEE RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/covid-19\/covid-19-and-computer-vision-syndrome\/\">COVID-19 and Computer Vision Syndrome<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>If you are experiencing dry eyes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">consult with an eye doctor<\/a> to find the best solution for you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>How do masks cause dry eyes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>When masks are not fitted securely on the face, exhaled air flows upward toward the eyes. This constant flow of warm air into the eyes causes a rapid increase in tear evaporation, resulting in a lower volume of tears and decreased hydration of the eye.<\/p>\n<p>Dry eyes from wearing masks has been termed \u2018Mask Associated Dry Eye (MADE)\u2019, a new clinical term now widely used by eyecare professionals.<\/p>\n<p>According to <i>Ophthalmology and Therapy<\/i> (2021), a study conducted by the University of Utah reported a significant increase in dry eye cases since the start of the pandemic, as mask wearing has become more prevalent.<\/p>\n<h2><b>How to relieve mask associated dry eye (MADE)?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Here are some tips to help maintain eye moisture while wearing a mask:<\/p>\n<p><b>1. Secure fit<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Select a mask with a flexible wire that allows you to secure the mask over the bridge of your nose. You can also secure medical tape along the top of the mask to ensure that air cannot escape through the top.<\/p>\n<p><b>2. Wrap-around sunglasses<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Wear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/\">wrap-around sunglasses<\/a> to protect your eyes from harsh winds that can cause an increase in tear evaporation and lead to dry eye symptoms.<\/p>\n<p><b>3. Take frequent screen breaks<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Practice the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a much needed break from the screen \u2014 every 20 minutes, focus on something around 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will not only help to replenish the moisture in your eyes, but will give your focusing muscles a chance to relax.<\/p>\n<p><b>4. Practice conscious blinking<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Be aware of how often and efficiently you blink while wearing a mask. Ensuring frequent and complete eyelid closure will allow your tears to effectively coat the entire surface of your eye and maintain healthy moisture.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s one exercise:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Close your eyes completely<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Pause for two seconds<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Open your eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Close your eyes again<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Pause for two seconds<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Squeeze your eyelids together for two more seconds<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Open your eyes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>5. Eye drops\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Apply <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/guide-to-eye-drops\/\">over-the-counter artificial tears eye drops<\/a> to help restore any moisture lost during prolonged mask wearing.<\/p>\n<p><b>6. Relax with warm compresses<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Place a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/natural-remedies-for-dry-eyes\/can-warm-compresses-help-dry-eyes\/\"> warm compress<\/a> on your closed eyelids to soothe your dry eyes and stimulate tear production.<\/p>\n<p><b>7. See an eye doctor<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor if your dry eye symptoms persist. Your eye doctor can advise the best course of treatment for long lasting relief.<\/p>\n<p><b>LEARN MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/eye-conditions\/\">Guide to Eye Conditions<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you<\/a> to get the dry eye relief you seek.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Masks help to protect us from infect<\/i>i<i>ous droplets, but they can also lead to uncomfortable dry eye symptoms<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><i>Here are a few tips to avoid dry eyes due to mask-wearing.<\/i><b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Face masks are an important line of defense against COVID-19, but they are also causing a surge in dry eye cases. Here are a few<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":20490,"parent":20476,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20489","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>COVID Masks Causing Dry Eyes?\u00a0 - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/covid-19\/covid-masks-causing-dry-eyes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COVID Masks Causing Dry Eyes?\u00a0 - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Face masks are an important line of defense against COVID-19, but they are also causing a surge in dry eye cases. 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