key: cord-0882630-i9wi1hrm
authors: Raevis, Joseph J.; Gjyzeli, Genti; Mititelu, Mihai; Rogers, Jeremy; Lasarev, Michael; Chang, Jonathan S.
title: Face Masks and Bacterial Dispersion Towards the Periocular Area
date: 2021-01-12
journal: Ophthalmology
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.01.007
sha: 1c573c72ad41be9b63c1a7036adebdcf90bcee75
doc_id: 882630
cord_uid: i9wi1hrm

Taping the superior aspect of patient masks qualitatively decreases air flow and bacterial dispersion towards the ocular surface while inappropriately worn masks both qualitatively and quantitatively increase bacterial dispersion towards the ocular surface.

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Using schlieren imaging, we qualitatively evaluated air currents with a face mask. When focusing 64 on the superior aspect of participant wearing a mask, schlieren imaging showed air escaping from the superior aspect of the mask. The same mask with tape covering the superior aspect showed no 66 significant airflow towards the eye ( Figure 1 ).

Next, to determine if the redirected air towards the ocular surface contained more bacteria, we 

We did not find taping the superior aspect of a mask to decrease bacterial dispersal towards the 99 ocular surface when compared to an appropriately worn mask. Even more importantly, this study only 100 looked at bacterial dispersal towards the ocular surface and did not evaluate for endophthalmitis, this 101 would be extremely difficult owing to its low prevalence. We hypothesize that taping the superior aspect of 

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