Eye make-up and discomfort

Eye make-up is very popular and millions of women around the world use it.  Some eye cosmetics, like eyeliner, is applied very close to the surface of the eye where it can cause eye disease and ocular discomfort.  What impact does eye make-up on ocular discomfort?  That is the question investigated in a study published in the November 2012 issue of the journal Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics.  

The authors of the study took surveyed 1360 women aged 20-34 and found that over 80% of them used eye cosmetics regularly and over half used at least three different eye cosmetics regularly.  Mascara was the most common type used.

The survey results lead the authors to conclude that the use of multiple eye cosmetics is extensive and
associated with the perception of ocular discomfort. The results suggest that taking a break from eye make-up might make your eyes feel better.  However, the use of makeup could be the cause of diseases such as dry eye, tear gland dysfunction or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid where the eyelashes grow).

However, if you love your make-up and can't do without it, see your optometrist to determine if any of those other eye issues are the cause of your discomfort.  It may be possible to treat the other conditions while keeping you in your make-up.

Source:

Eye cosmetic usage and associated ocular comfort
Alison Ng, Katharine Evans, Rachel North and Christine Purslow
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Citation information: Ng A, Evans K, North R & Purslow C. Eye cosmetic usage and associated ocular comfort. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32,
501–507. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2012.00944.x