The effects of a steam warming eye mask on the ocular surface and mental health.

PURPOSE: The continuous use of warming eye masks improves tear function. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, we aimed to analyze the effects of warming eye mask use on the ocular surface and mental health. METHODS: We enrolled 86 participants (age range: 23-89 years) from affiliated institutions who were divided into two groups: the warm group that used warming eye masks that generate moist heat at 40 °C for 10 min and the control group that used non-warming eye masks. The participants used the masks for 10 min once daily for 2 weeks. Before and after the intervention, in 79 participants (warm group 39, control group 40), we analyzed the tear break up time (TBUT) and corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining results in the right eye and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (Anxiety: HADS-A, Depression: HADS-D), and Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) questionnaires. The parameters before and after the intervention were compared via paired-t tests. RESULTS: The following variables changed after the intervention: TBUT (warm group: 1.4 ± 2.1 s vs. control group: -0.01 ± 2.38 s), fluorescein staining score (-0.7 ± 1.1 vs.-0.2 ± 1.1), HADS-A (-0.8 ± 3.1 vs. -0.2 ± 2.2), and HADS-D (-1.0 ± 2.4 vs. -0.4 ± 1.9). Significant changes were observed in the TBUT (warm group), fluorescein staining score (warm group), and HADS-D (warm group). CONCLUSIONS: Using a warming eye mask improves not only the ocular surface conditions but also the subjective depression scores.

Anterior chamber irrigation with an ozonated solution as prophylaxis against infectious endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To assess the validity of anterior chamber irrigation with an ozonated solution as prophylaxis against endophthalmitis. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Viability of human corneal endothelium in culture was assessed by the WST-8 assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, and trypan blue exclusion assay after exposure to a 4 to 40 parts per million (ppm) solution for 10 to 60 seconds. The in vivo effect was observed 1 week after irrigation of a 4 ppm solution in the rabbit anterior chamber by trypan blue exclusion assay. Bactericidal efficacy of the anterior chamber irrigation with the 4 ppm solution was examined by bacterial colony count of the aqueous humor following methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contaminated intraocular lens implantation in the porcine eye. RESULTS: The WST-8 assay revealed no significant reduction of viability with 10-second exposure to a 4 ppm solution. Lactate dehydrogenase release and trypan blue exclusion assays similarly demonstrated little damage after 60-second exposure to a 4 ppm solution. In the rabbit cornea 1 week after treatment, damage caused by 30-second exposure to a 4 ppm solution was not significant. The MRSA colony count documented almost complete bactericidal action with 5-second exposure to the 4 ppm solution when no ophthalmic viscosurgical device existed in the anterior chamber. CONCLUSION: Limited damage to the corneal endothelium after 10-second exposure and potent bactericidal action with 5-second exposure suggests the validity of anterior chamber irrigation with a 4 ppm ozonated solution as prophylaxis against endophthalmitis.