#122: Wearing a Mask With Dry Eyes
Lots of states are returning to having a mask mandate. Here in Louisiana, as of August of 2021, we are back to wearing masks while in doors in public areas.
We're back to wearing masks again. And, if you suffer from dry eyes, like I do, your eyes are probably feel pretty bad when you wear a face covering for several hours. I want to give you some tips on how to wear a mask when your eyes are dry.
What is going on when we wear a mask?
Well, the air from your nose and mouth needs somewhere to go when your wearing a mask. If the mask isn't tight over the bridge of your nose, the air will travel up into your eyes and dry them out. Not to mention, that warm moist air will fog your glasses. When you have your mask on, and it isn't tight enough over the bridge of the nose, the air from your nose and mouth flows directly up into your eyes.
When the mask is tight below the chin, it leaves a gap at the top. Your glasses will fog up from the air from your nose and mouth. This contains bacteria which are blowing into your eyes.
Many of my eye doctor colleagues and friends have been telling me that they are seeing patients than usual with styes since we have started wearing masks due to the global pandemic. This is due to bacteria from the nose and mouth blowing into the eyes all day long. Styes are caused by the bacteria settling on the lids, getting into a pore and causing an infection.
What can we do about this?
I've got three tips for you to keep the excess bacteria from around your eyes and face.
1) Adjust your mask. You can wear it a little bit in a different position and make it more comfortable:
- Use a mask that's highly adjustable
- A metal nose bridge (form the metal to the bridge of your nose to seal off air)
- Adhesive seal at the nose bridge and below lower eyelids
- Adjust straps to be tighter at the top than the bottom
2) Use a hypochlorous acid based cleansing spray.
A hypochlorous acid spray is a liquid cleanser that kills bacteria on our lids and lashes. It's super simple to use. All you need to do is start with a clean face. You've just washed your face, or you've gotten out of the shower. Before you put on any makeup or lotions, apply the cleansing spray.
Close your eyes. Then, spritz the cleanser onto your closed lids. It comes out like a mist. Leave that on your lids and lashes. You do not need to rinse it away. In fact, you can even spritz it onto your face. The spray will kill the bacteria accumulating there due to the mask. This may prevent acne as well.
3) Use an artificial tear
Using a preservative-free artificial tear throughout the day can help to rinse away bacteria. Flushing the bacteria from the tear layer will help to prevent that same bacteria from settling into your oil glands and causing a stye.
I love Optase Dry Eye Intense drops because they contain hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the front of your eyes. Your eyes will feel soothed for a longer time.
The Optase drops come in a multi-dose bottle and are preservative free. This adds to their convenience in using one bottle that lasts for about 300 drops. And, you get the power of not adding preservatives into your eyes.
CONCLUSION
If you have to wear a mask for multiple hours a day, like I do, your eyes may be drying out more than usual. The air from your nose and mouth is now reaching your eyes and staying trapped on your face. You can combat the extra bacteria and drying effects using three really simple tips:
- Tighten your mask over your nose.
- Use a lid and lash cleanser, like hypochlorous acid spray
- Lubricate your eyes to rinse away bacteria
You can make your eyes feel better during this global pandemic. For more tips and tools from me, check out my website at www.pamtheriot.com.
