This study aimed to investigate the ocular surface and symptoms of dry eye in individuals who wear face masks on a daily basis. Methods: This prospective study evaluated 52 right eyes of 52 subjects (26 men, 26 women) who routinely wore face masks for at least 8 hrs a day. Mean age was 30.4866.01 years. All patients were assessed with Schirmer-1 test, Tear Break-up Time (TBUT), Oxford staining grade, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) at initial clinical admission (T1), after 8 hrs of face mask use (T2), and after 15 days of greater than 8 hrs daily wear of face masks with the open portions of the mask taped down (T3). Results: Mean TBUT was 13.0362.18 seconds(s) at T1, 9.1261.85 sec at T2, and 12.7862.05 sec at T3. Mean Schirmer-1 test results were 16.8763.01 mm at T1, 12.9762.74 mm at T2, and 17.0162.95 mm at T3. There was a significant difference between T1 and T2, and between T2 and T3 in TBUT (P,0.001), Schirmer-1 results (P,0.001), and Oxford staining grade (P¼0.030, P¼0.003, respectively). There was a significant difference between all examination times in OSDI score (P,0.001). Conclusion: Improper use of face masks may cause increased ocular irritation and dry eye symptoms. Taping down the upper portion of the face mask blocks exhaled air from directly entering the eyes, preventing potential symptoms of dry eye.
Purpose. To present the success of posaconazole in two cases with recalcitrant fugal keratitis that were resistant to conventional antifungal drugs. Method. We presented two cases that were treated with posaconazole after the failure of fluconazole or voriconazole, amphotericin B, and natamycin therapy. Case 1 was a 62-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma. He had been using topical fluorometholone and tobramycin. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was hand motion. He had 5.0 × 4.5 mm area of deep corneal ulcer with stromal infiltration. Case 2 was a 14-year-old contact lens user. He had been using topical moxifloxacin, tobramycin, and cyclopentolate. His BCVA was 20/200. He had a 4.0 × 3.0 mm area of pericentral corneal ulcer with deep corneal stromal infiltration and 2 mm hypopyon. Results. Both patients initially received systemic and topical fluconazole or voriconazole and amphotericin B and topical natamycin that were all ineffective. But the response of posaconazole was significant. After posaconazole, progressive improvement was seen in clinical appearance. BCVA improved to 20/100 in case 1 and 20/40 in case 2. Conclusion. Posaconazole might be an effective treatment option for recalcitrant fusarium keratitis and/or endophthalmitis resistant to conventional antifungal drugs.
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