Beauty and Eye Products and Dry Eye
Six mascaras are sold in North America every minute. Parabens are found in mascara and often are associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. Creams applied around the eye and eye make up products can complicate dry eye. Wrinkle cream RETINA can cause dry eye and symptoms of itching, peeling, redness, and blepharoconjunctivitis in almost half the users. As well, preservatives such a BAK are found in cosmetics and lid cleaners and eyedrops. Even in small concentrations, it is toxic to the cornea.
Formaldehye releasing preservatives such as quaterenium 15 is found in baby shampoo, and it is best not to use it for lid scrubs. It’s also found in make up remover wipes and one should look to avoid these wipes.
Medications can dry your eyes out. Some popular dry eye culprits are prostaglandins, and these are found in glaucoma medications. These help slow down glaucoma and progression, but also promotes inflammation and dry eye disease. Studies show that 92% of Prostaglandin users have inflammatory meibomian gland dysfunction.
Accutaine is another popular medication primarily used by teenagers and young adults. Approximately 1/5 users experience ocular adverse effects including blepharoconjunctivitis, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and abnormal meibomian glands. Accutaine can cause permanent structural damage to the meibomian glands.
Come talk to our eye doctors to discuss makeup, eye products and get advice on your eyelid health, and dry eye symptoms, treatment and management.
Sunday hours are available by appointment.