Impact of Cosmetics on the Ocular Surface: Summary
Overview
Clinicians often focus on patient care, overlooking lifestyle and environmental factors like cosmetics that can negatively impact the ocular surface. A thorough history and symptom work-up are essential to identify these risks.
Cosmetics and Ocular Health
Cosmetics, commonly used around the eyes, can pose risks due to their chemical compositions, which are not subject to stringent regulatory standards like ophthalmic products. These chemicals can cause hormone disruption, cancer causing risk, toxic to the brain, and reproductive toxicity, potentially exacerbating dry eye disease.
Common Cosmetic Ingredients and Their Effects
Cosmetic ingredients serve various functions but can harm the ocular surface through:
Abrasive and absorbent properties
Antimicrobial and antioxidant effects
Colorants, preservatives, and emulsifiers
Potentially harmful agents like endocrine disruptors and carcinogens
Eye Cosmetic Products and Their Risks
- Applicators (Brushes and Sponges): These can harbour microbes due to skin oils and debris.
- Eyelash Curlers: Can cause contact dermatitis and injuries.
- False Eyelashes and Metallic Eyeliners: May lead to allergic reactions, corneal abrasions, and eyelash loss.
- Eye Shadows: Susceptible to microbial growth and can cause irritation.
- Mascara: Can migrate to the ocular surface, block meibomian glands, and cause dry eye disease.
- Eyeliner: Applying directly to the eyelid margin can lead to cosmetic migration to the ocular surface and gland dysfunction.
Eye Cosmetic Procedures and Their Complications
- Eyelash Curling: Can cause nickel allergies, dermatitis, and severe injuries.
- Eyelash Dyeing/Tinting: Involves chemicals that can cause severe allergic reactions and dermatitis.
- Eyelash Extensions: Associated with allergic reactions, eyelash loss, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and corneal abrasions.
- Eyelid Tattooing: Can result in various ocular disorders, including allergic reactions and tear film instability.
Periocular Rejuvenation
- Botulinum Toxin (BoNT) Injections: May improve dry eye symptoms but can also cause tear film instability and gland dysfunction.
- Filler Injections: Complications include bruising, swelling, infection, nerve damage, and retinal artery occlusion.
Periocular Rejuvenation
Common bad habits linked to eye make-up use include:
- Sleeping with eye make-up
- Sharing eye make-up
- Not replacing eye make-up regularly
- Applying eyeliner to the inner eyelid margin (waterline), increasing the risk of cosmetic product migration to the ocular surface.
Understanding these risks can help mitigate the negative impacts of cosmetics on ocular health.
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