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.

Objectives: To compare anterior chamber depth (ACD) changes after phacoemulsification surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and normal patients using an anterior segment imaging method. Another aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of these changes on the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation and postoperative refraction.Materials and Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with PEX and 30 eyes of 30 normal patients who underwent uneventful phacoemulsification surgery and IOL implantation were included in the study. The ACD of all patients was evaluated preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively with the ALLEGRO Oculyzer (WaveLight® Oculyzer™ II, Alcon, Novartis)-Scheimpflug imaging system.Results: The postoperative mean ACD values were significantly larger than the preoperative ACD values in both groups (p<0.001 for both groups). The pre- to postoperative change in ACD was 0.46±0.3 mm in the PEX group, which was a larger change than seen in the normal patients (0.12±0.1 mm) (p=0.04). The mean absolute errors (MAE) calculated with different IOL formulas (SRK/T, Haigis, Hoffer and Holladay 1 formulas) were comparable and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p=0.21).Conclusion: Phacoemulsification induces more significant ACD changes in patients with PEX compared to normal patients. However, the MAE did not differ significantly between the groups.

Objective. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to investigate the effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia on the pulmonary functions in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes I and II patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to two study groups: high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group (Group H, n = 30) and low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group (Group L, n = 30). The fresh gas flow rate was of 4 L/min in high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group and 1 L/min in low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (ETCO2) were recorded. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and 2, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. Results. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of HR, MABP, SpO2, and ETCO2. Pulmonary function test results were similar in both groups at all measurement times. Conclusions. The effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia on pulmonary functions are comparable to high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.