Fogging of Protective Eyewear in Intensive Care Unit and a Comparative Study of Techniques to reduce It

Background: Fogging of protective eyewear (PEW) can hinder routine work in the intensive care unit (ICU). The prevalence of fogging impairing vision (FIV) and the technique that reduces fogging have not been evaluated previously.Methods: After donning personal protective equipment (PPE) with an N95 mask, the healthcare workers (HCWs) sequentially tried plain PEW, soap-coated PEW, PEW worn at a distance over the PPE hood, and the use of tape over a mask. The vision (distant and near) was checked before wearing PEW and with each technique. The prevalence of fogging and FIV, that is, change in vision in either eye was estimated and compared among various techniques. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting fogging and to compare techniques. Room temperature, room humidity, and lens temperature were measured during the study.Results: A total of 125 HCWs participated (151 observations) and the prevalence of FIV was 66.7%. The fogging of PEW, as well as the extent of PEW fogging, was least with soap coating followed by a mask with tape and goggles worn at a distance. The FIV was significantly lesser only with the mask with tape with an odds ratio (OR) [confidence interval CI)] of 0.45 (0.25-0.82). The prevalence of fogging while at work in the COVID ICU was 38%.Conclusion:The prevalence of FIV is 66%. Application of tape over the mask can avoid disturbances in vision best. Soap coating of the PEW and PEW worn at distance from the eyes are potential alternatives.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the prevalence of fogging impairing vision and techniques to reduce fogging in protective eyewear. It found that applying tape over the mask can best avoid disturbances in vision; in addition, soap coating and wearing the eyewear at a distance from the eyes are potential alternatives.