Abstract
Purpose :
There has been very little investigation about the relationship between cosmetics and ocular surface disease. This study looked at application and removal habits of cosmetic wearers and non-wearers to determine any relationship that cosmetics may have on ocular surface discomfort and symptomology.
Methods :
A survey was created and distributed using the media platform ‘Survey Monkey’ and social media outlets including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and email. Data from the survey was compiled and evaluated in order to identify any relationships between cosmetic wear habits, ocular health history and ocular symptoms.
Results :
A total of 253 people responded to the survey, with a mean age of 41.67 + 10.04. Those surveyed reported wearing makeup an average of 4.99 + 2.22 days per week. Additionally reported, make-up was removed an average of 4.68 + 2.49 days. Of those surveyed, the average SPEED score was 8.19 + 5.18 and the average UNC = 3.28 +2.32. Those that did not report using an eye make up remover had higher SPEED scores (Mean:10.5 +6.75) than those who did use eye make up removers (Mean 7.6+4.62) P=0.0004. Data analysis also revealed that contact lens wearers noted more vision fluctuations after makeup removal than those who are not contact lens wearers (p=0.000429).
Conclusions :
Consumers and patients are using eye cosmetics frequently. Eye Care Providers need to be aware of their patients’ habits for application and removal and consider both as potential for ocular discomfort. More research is needed to explore the relationship between Ocular Surface Disease and cosmetic use.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.