Face masks, vision, and risk of falls

Abstract

Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Public health experts and international organisations increasingly recommend wearing face masks to help limit the spread of COVID-19.(1) It is therefore important to ensure safe and comfortable mask usage, to maximise adoption and compliance. Formal guidance and associated media coverage has thus far focussed on discomfort and communication issues.(2) However, largely overlooked is the impact of face masks on walking safety and fall-risk. Despite guidance identifying older adults as an ‘at-risk’ group for whom face masks should be recommended, it is this population for whom the effects of masks on walking safety will likely be most pronounced.