Your eyes are one of your most defining physical features, and you can enhance their look in several ways with the help of products like makeup and eyelash extensions. However, it’s important to understand how these products could affect your eye comfort and increase the risk of developing conditions like blepharitis.
Today, we’ll look at what blepharitis is, how certain products can cause it, and how our team can help address the issue.
If you’re already struggling with uncomfortable eyes, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at See & Be Seen Eyecare today. Our optometrists have the strategies you need to maintain your eye comfort so you can get back to enjoying the clear, hydrated vision you deserve.
What Is Blepharitis?
Before we dive into what products may cause blepharitis, let’s first look at what the condition is and how it may affect your eye comfort.
Blepharitis is the inflammation of your eyelids. When you develop blepharitis, you may experience several symptoms like:
- Redness
- Grittiness
- Crusted eyelashes
- Skin flaking around the eyes
- Swelling
- Light sensitivity
You can develop blepharitis for a number of reasons, but some of the most common include bacterial infections around the edges of your eyelid and meibomian gland dysfunction. Your meibomian glands are essential to supporting your eye comfort, but when they are affected, you can develop irritating eye issues like dry eye and blepharitis.
Anterior vs. Posterior Blepharitis
There are 2 types of blepharitis, anterior and posterior.
Anterior blepharitis occurs outside your eyelid, where your eyelashes attach. You may develop this if you have flaky skin on your eyelid or if you develop a bacterial infection. Eyelash mites, known as Demodex, can also cause blepharitis symptoms.
Posterior blepharitis occurs on the inside edge of your eyelid, the part of the eyelid that touches your eye’s surface. You may develop posterior blepharitis if skin conditions like rosacea or flaky skin clog your meibomian glands.
Eye Products That May Cause Blepharitis
Now that we understand what blepharitis is, let’s look at the products you may use regularly and how they affect your eyes.
Even if you don’t wear eye products like those mentioned below, it’s still possible to develop blepharitis. Your risk can increase if you have other health concerns like:
- Rosacea
- Allergies
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Oily skin
If your blepharitis is left untreated, it may lead to other eye problems like styes, chalazion, chronic red eyes, or even corneal damage. If you start to notice any eye discomfort while using a particular eye product, stop using the product immediately and contact our team for help.
Some of the most common products that could cause blepharitis include eyelash extensions, mascara, and contact lens solutions. This is because blepharitis can be caused by bacteria that are transmitted to the eye from products like lash extensions.
Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are popular beauty products used to enhance the volume and appearance of your natural lashes without mascara. Eyelash extensions are glued to the ridge of your eyelids where your natural lashes grow and can come in a variety of shapes, styles, and qualities.
Despite the aesthetic benefits eyelash extensions provide, they do have their downsides. The most notable is that the glue you use to attach these lashes could cause an allergic reaction or increase the risk of bacterial infection if your lashes or eyelids aren’t properly cleaned before application.
Mascara
Mascara is a popular form of makeup many people use to enhance the look of their eyes and eyelashes. Still, like eyelash extensions, it could increase the risk of developing blepharitis if it isn’t properly applied or your eyelids aren’t properly cleaned.
While mascara can darken, thicken, and curl your eyelashes, it uses materials that could clog your meibomian glands. Clogged meibomian glands can eventually lead to irritation and inflammation, which are common blepharitis symptoms.
Contact Lenses & Contact Lens Solutions
Contact lens solutions are absolutely essential for storing and cleaning your contact lenses, but it’s important to know which type of solution and lenses are suitable for your eyes. Some solutions may cause allergic reactions that could lead to blepharitis, but your risk of developing these issues can increase if you don’t properly clean or store your lenses.
To avoid these issues, make sure you have your contact lenses appropriately fitted by our eye care team.
How We Can Help
If you already struggle with your eye comfort, please speak to our team before you start using eye products like eyelash extensions or mascara. We can help manage your symptoms by recommending unique eye products or by providing useful tips to keep your eyelids clean of bacteria and debris that may lead to blepharitis.
In some cases, we may recommend a dedicated treatment to help alleviate blepharitis and other dry eye symptoms. Our personalized treatment plans include many different strategies, including BlephEx and LipiFlow.
BlephEx
BlephEx is an eyelid cleansing treatment used to help manage symptoms of blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Using a small spinning sponge, the BlephEx device can gently clean away bacteria and blockages on the edges of your eyelids. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend multiple BlephEx treatments so we can maintain your eye comfort.
LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation
Meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis can sometimes develop together, but treatments like LipiFlow are fantastic for addressing these issues simultaneously.
During a LipiFlow treatment session, our doctors attach warming devices to your eyelids. These devices apply gentle heat and pressure to your eyelids, which can help melt blockages in your meibomian glands and promote the healthy flow of oils to your tear film.
Like BlephEx, we may recommend multiple treatment sessions depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms.
Find Personalized Strategies Today
If you’re wondering if certain products like eyelash extensions may affect your eye comfort, please book an appointment to speak with our team in Midtown or Liberty Village.
See & Be Seen Eyecare is ready to help you enjoy the look and feel of your eyes today.
