EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF N95 MASK USE ON RETINAL VASCULAR DENSITY BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of FFP2/N95 face mask use on oxygen saturation (SpO2), macula, and optic disc vessel density through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in healthcare workers. Material and Method A total of 38 eyes from 19 volunteer healthcare workers were included in the study. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed. Finger-type pulse oximetry measurements were used to assess the oxygen saturation also and Angiovue OCTA used for vascular density measurements before and after 4 hours of continuous N95 mask wear. Participants were instructed not to remove their masks during this period. Macular and optic disc vessel densities were evaluated using OCTA before and immediately after mask application and removal. Results Of the 19 participants, 15 were female and 4 were male. The mean age was 36,64 ± 9,3 years. The Snellen- Corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in all eyes, and intraocular pressure measurements were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation was 97,94% ± 0,8 before N95 mask wear, and 96,14% ± 1,8 after four hours of mask application. Significant increase in central macular thickness (CMT) (p<0,001), and significant decrease in parafoveal vessel densities in the superficial plexus and choriocapillaris in the fovea (p<0,05) were observed after mask usage. Significant increase in vessel densities of the superior and inferior radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPC) was found after mask usage (p<0,05). Conclusion Oxygen saturation decreases after N95 mask usage. Vascular reactivity between the retina and choroid changes in response to increased CO2 levels and decreased O2 levels after mask usage.

Keywords

• Vessel density
• Macula
• N95 mask
• Optic disc
• Optical coherence tomography angiography

N95 MASKE KULLANIMININ RETİNA DAMAR DANSİTESİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİNİN OPTİK KOHERENS TOMOGRAFİ ANJİYOGRAFİ İLE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Abstract

Amaç Sağlık çalışanlarında FFP2/N95 yüz maskesinin oksijen satürasyonu (SpO2), maküla ve optik disk damar dansitesi üzerindeki etkisinin optik koherens tomografi anjiyografi (OKTA) ile değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem Çalışmaya 19 gönüllü sağlık çalışanının 38 gözü dahil edilmiştir. Tam oftalmolojik muayeneleri yapılmıştır. N95 maske takılmasından hemen önce ve 4 saat sürekli kullanımından hemen sonra oksijen saturasyonunu değerlendirmek için parmak tipi puls oksimetre ve optik disk ile retinal damar dansitelerini değerlendirmek için Angiovue OKTA cihazı kullanılmıştır. Katılımcılardan bu süre içerisinde maskelerini çıkarmamaları istenmiştir. OKTA ile maske takılmadan ve çıkarılmadan hemen önce maküla ve optik disk damar dansiteleri değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular Çalışmaya dahil edilen 19 gönüllünün 15’i kadın, 4’ü erkekti. Ortalama yaş 36,64 ± 9,3 yıldı. Tüm gözlerde Snellen’e göre düzeltilmiş görme keskinliği 20/20 idi ve tümünün göz içi basınç ölçümleri normal sınırlardaydı. N95 maske takılmadan önceki oksijen satürasyonu %97,94 ± 0,8, dört saat kullanım sonrasında ise %96,14 ±1,8 idi. Maske kullanımı sonrası santral maküla kalınlığında (SMK) anlamlı artış (p<0,001), süperfisyal parafovea ve foveal koryokapillaris damar dansitelerinde maske kullanımı sonrası anlamlı azalma saptandı (p<0,05). Optik disk süperior ve inferior radial peripapiller kapiller pleksus (RPK) damar dansitelerinde ise maske kullanımı sonrası anlamlı artış bulundu (p<0,05). Sonuç N95 maske kullanımı sonrası oksijen satürasyonu düşmektedir. Maske kullanımı sonrası CO2 seviyesinde artış ve O2 seviyesinde düşüşe cevap olarak retinal ve koroidal vazoreaktivite değişmektedir.

Keywords

• Damar dansitesi
• Maküla
• N95 maske
• Optik disk
• Optik koherens tomografi anjiyografi

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