Wearing an N95 mask for 1 hour is associated with a statistically significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), according to a study.
The cross-sectional study evaluated the effect of wearing an N95 face mask on IOP in 34 medical staff volunteers (68 eyes).
After baseline eye examinations, participants wore an N95 mask for 1 hour, during which oxygen saturation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and sequential IOP measurements using iCare and Goldmann applanation tonometers were recorded. All measurements were repeated 1 hour after mask removal.
Mean IOP measured increased significantly by 1.20 mmHg after 1 hour of mask use and then decreased significantly by 1.27 mmHg after the mask was removed. Mean oxygen saturation increased significantly after mask removal, while changes in pulse rate and blood pressure were not statistically significant. No significant association was found between changes in IOP and oxygen saturation.
The authors concluded that wearing an N95 mask could substantially increase IOP and reduce oxygen saturation.
Reference
Nilforushan N, Najafzadeh F, Bakhsh SC, et al. The Effect of Wearing an N95 Face Mask on Intraocular Pressure. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2025;20. doi: 10.18502/jovr.v20.16584. PMID: 41403851; PMCID: PMC12703106.
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