Facial Masking and Effects on Ocular Health: A Review

Abstract

It has been over a year since the United States began to feel the effects of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. In response, many daily practices in the administration of healthcare have changed. Perhaps the most visible of these changes is the widespread use of facial masks to prevent transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While COVID-19 has documented direct ocular effects, there is increasing interest surrounding the effects of preventative facial masking on ocular health. This review summarizes the major impacts of masking in several domains, in an attempt to better characterize new threats to ocular health.