4/18/2023 0 Comments 20 20 20 eye timerTypically, patients are female between 35 and 50 years old, and have a family history of Sjogren’s syndrome ( National Institutes of Health, 2021). Sjogren’s syndrome is a common autoimmune disorder that affects 3 million Americans living in the United States, annually. Additional care and screening are considerations when working with individuals using masks for extended periods and for workers with a prior history of dry eye disease, recent ophthalmic surgery, or other surface inflammatory diseases, such as Sjogren’s syndrome ( Moshirfar et al., 2020). Lubricant eye drops and eye protection, such as goggles, are considered an option that could be used in conjunction with facial masks. Prolonged screen time among workers who previously conducted in-person meetings has had an impact on general health, but the eyes in particular ( American Optometric Association, 2020).Įarly in the pandemic, Moshirfar (2020) described mask-associated ocular dryness and irritation in all mask wearers, encouraging healthcare providers to be aware of these threats to eye health. Workers explain they are hesitant to make and keep eye health appointments because there is uncertainty about office precautions. Visual barriers may lead to balance issues that further place the worker at risk for slips, trips, or falls ( Redfern et al., 2001). Wearing a mask or eyewear that is not centered properly because the eyewear is competing with space on the bridge of the nose or fogging lenses may contribute to slips, trips, and falls in the workplace ( Kal et al., 2020 Malik & Malik, 2011). Dry eyes may occur due to prolonged mask wearing. Conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased awareness of eye health. Most Americans, and therefore most workers, take eye health for granted.
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