A diver wearing a facial mask while descending is can develop a negative pressure within the mask. This can create a suction on the eyes and facial soft tissue, causing them to be "squeezed".
Face mask squeeze is usually prevented by breathing through the nose into the face mask thereby introducing more gas.
Situations associated with face mask squeeze:
(1) wearing eye goggles during a deeper dive
(2) wearing a face mask with a malfunctioning air supply or valving
(3) not breathing through the nose into the face mask
Face mask squeeze causes barotraumas to the eyes and soft tissue of the face.
Manifestations:
(1) subconjunctival hemorrhage
(2) intraocular hemorrhage
(3) facial bruising
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