Black Sock Tops: Effective Low-Cost Eye Shields for Phototherapy

Abstract

Background: In low-resource settings, there is often a challenge with sourcing effective eye protection for newborns undergoing intensive phototherapy as treatment for neonatal jaundice.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of sock tops as an eye-shielding alternative for use in intensive phototherapy.

Methods: This study evaluated the efficacy of black, gray, and white thick, elastic, sock tops in various materials as eye-shielding alternatives for use in intensive phototherapy.

Results: Wool, cotton, and polyester black sock tops provided acceptable levels of shielding at all levels of irradiance when layered. However, white and gray sock tops in the same material did not provide adequate shielding, even when layered.

Conclusion: Black sock tops may provide an accessible, low-cost alternative to commercial eye patches in low-resource settings, especially when confirmatory testing with an irradiance meter is available.