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Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center

Wearing Fake Eyelashes Can Cause Serious Eye Problems

You may be a sight for sore eyes with those beautiful, long fluttering lashes, but did you know that fake eyelashes can literally make your eyes sore causing eye infections, allergic reactions, and in some cases, more serious eye problems.

Eyelashes Have a Purpose

Your natural lashes are designed to reduce airflow into your eyes, keep excess moisture out, and filter sunlight. By nature, eyes are moist due to a tear film that protects them. When too much airflow enters the eyes, the moisture can evaporate, and dust and deposits can also blow into the eye. Eyelashes help control the airflow over the eyeball.

Eyelashes also keep excess moisture out of your eyes, such as sweat and rain, and they also help filter out dangerous sun rays. Their curved shape and position are what helps protect your eyes from both excess moisture and sunlight.

The Risks of Wearing Fake Eyelashes

If you wear fake eyelashes or are considering doing so, you need to go into this with your eyes wide open to understand the associated risks. Anytime you have a foreign object near your eye there is the potential for problems. The most common problems of wearing fake eyelashes include:

• Eye Infections
• Allergic Reactions
• Damage to Your Natural Lashes
• Eye Injuries

Eye Infections

Infections can occur when bacteria collect under the eyelash glue and on the false eyelash itself. Also, if you were to drop your eyelash on a surface before putting it on, there is a risk of harmful bacteria and dirt entering the eye. Infections can also result from not cleaning the eyelid after removing the fake eyelashes or sharing them with a friend, causing cross-contamination, which can lead to styes or conjunctivitis.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are typically the result of the glue used to hold fake eyelashes in place, as they often contain formaldehyde. Other people may actually be allergic to the fiber used to make the fake eyelashes themselves. Allergic reactions to lashes can cause stinging, burning, swelling, or a rash.

Damage to Your Natural Lashes

Wearing fake eyelashes may also cause temporary or permanent loss of your own eyelashes. Taking the fake lashes off can cause breakage of your real ones and damage the hair follicle. When that happens, your own lashes may never grow back.

Eye Injuries

More serious eye injuries can happen if fake eyelashes irritate the cornea or if the glue thickens and falls into your eye scratching the cornea.

Solutions

The best solution to avoiding the eye problems associated with fake eyelashes is not to wear them, but if you must, try to keep your eyes safe by:

• Limiting the amount of glue used
• Avoiding lashes with glitter or jewels
• Gently removing the lashes
• Cleaning the eyelid after removing the lashes
• Avoiding glue with formaldehyde
• Not sharing your lashes with others

Signs You Have an Eye Problem

If after wearing fake eyelashes you develop any of the following symptoms, you should see our eye doctor immediately:

• Pain
• Redness
• Soreness
• Sensitivity to light
• Discharge
• Fever
• Blurred vision
• Swelling

Contact Your Boca Raton Eye Doctor Today!

The eye doctors at the Mitchell Eye Center are medical and surgical professionals that treat everything from minor to more serious eyes issues. Our Boca Raton location is renowned for its amazing care, services, and office environment. Please contact us today to get started. The Mitchell Eye Center stands ready to help with all of your eye care needs!

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