Quantitative high-speed assessment of droplet and aerosol from an eye after impact with an air-puff amid COVID-19 Scenario

Shetty, R and Balakrishnan, N and Shroff, S and Shetty, N and Kabi, PJ and Roy, D and Joseph, SM and Khamar, P and Basu, S and Roy, AS (2020) Quantitative high-speed assessment of droplet and aerosol from an eye after impact with an air-puff amid COVID-19 Scenario. In: Journal of Glaucoma . (In Press)

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Abstract

Purpose: To quantify aerosol and droplets generated during non-contact tonometry (NCT) and assess the spread distance of the same. Methods: This was an experimental study on healthy human volunteers (n=8 eyes). In an experimental set up, NCT was performed on eyes (n=8) of human volunteers under normal setting, with a single and 2 drops of lubricant. High speed shadowgraphy, frontal lighting technique and fluorescein analysis were used to detect the possible generation of any droplets and aerosols. Mathematical computation of the spread of the droplets was then performed. Results: In natural setting, there was no droplet or aerosol production. Minimal splatter along with droplet ejection was observed when 1 drop of lubricant was used prior to NCT. When 2 drops of lubricant were instilled, we noted significant amount of fluid ejection in the form a sheet which broke up into multiple droplets. Some these droplets traversed back to the tonometer. Droplets ranging from 100 to 500¦µm in diameter were measured. Conclusions: There was no droplet generation during NCT performed in natural setting. However, NCT should be avoided in conditions with high tear volume (natural or artificial) as it would lead to droplet spread and tactile contamination. © 2020 S. Karger AG. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Glaucoma
Publisher:	Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Additional Information:	copyright for this article belongs to Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Keywords:	aerosol, droplet, noncontact tonometry, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	06 Nov 2020 11:31
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2020 11:31
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/67048

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