Medical Physics Department, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.
Photobiology unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2019 Jul;35(4):246-254. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12459. Epub 2019 Apr 1.
Phototherapy and photochemotherapy are commonly used treatment modalities for a range of chronic skin conditions. Whilst undergoing ultraviolet radiation exposure, patients can wear personal protective equipment. Face shields in combination with other forms of skin cover may be worn to provide both skin and eye protection. There are a number of different types of eyewear and face shields available for purchase. Some of these have clear identifications that show the levels of protection provided whilst others may not have any.
A series of similar experiments has been undertaken independently at two phototherapy treatment centres-Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee-to investigate the effectiveness of different face shields and eye protection that are available for purchase in the United Kingdom (UK). Two similar examples of one face shield were tested at both centres, and another was transferred between the units.
Not all examples of the face shields and protective eyewear provided the wearer full protection between 300 nanometres and 400 nanometres (nm). Cost and conformance to different standards was not always a good indicator. Some inexpensive examples tested also met British Association of Dermatology protective sunglasses guidelines.
It is incumbent on all centres to check the properties of protective face shields and eyewear provided to patients and operators to guard against the effects from ultraviolet radiation. There is no correlation between price of the protective equipment and level of protection offered, and there may be opportunity for cost savings.
光疗和光化学疗法是治疗各种慢性皮肤疾病的常用方法。在接受紫外线辐射暴露时，患者可以佩戴个人防护设备。面罩与其他形式的皮肤覆盖物结合使用，可提供皮肤和眼睛保护。有许多不同类型的眼镜和面罩可供购买。其中一些有明确的标识，可以显示提供的防护等级，而其他可能没有任何标识。
在利兹的查佩尔·奥尔顿医院和邓迪的九井斯医院这两个光疗治疗中心，独立开展了一系列类似的实验，以研究在英国（UK）可购买的不同面罩和眼部防护的有效性。在两个中心测试了两种类似的面罩示例，另一种则在两个单位之间转移。
并非所有面罩和防护眼镜的示例都能在 300 纳米至 400 纳米（nm）之间为佩戴者提供全面保护。成本和对不同标准的符合程度并不总是一个很好的指标。一些经过测试的廉价示例也符合英国皮肤科协会防护太阳镜指南。
所有中心都有责任检查为患者和操作人员提供的防护面罩和眼镜的性能，以防止紫外线辐射的影响。防护设备的价格与提供的防护水平之间没有相关性，可能有节省成本的机会。
