The effects of eyelash extensions on the ocular surface.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of eyelash extensions on the ocular surface.

METHODS

This prospective study included 32 participants with eyelash extensions in both eyes. Symptoms and clinical parameters such as conjunctival vascular density, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive tear break-up time, bulbar redness, meibography, lipid layer thickness, and corneal staining were assessed in the right eyes. These measurements were taken at baseline and 1 h, 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after eyelash extensions were applied.

RESULTS

At 1 h after eyelash extensions, ocular symptoms were reported by 27 participants (84.44 %), the most common being foreign body sensation (59.38 %). However, the Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were not statistically different between baseline, 1 week, and 1 month after eyelash extension (P > 0.05). TMH increased significantly at 1 h after eyelash extensions, from 0.27 ± 0.08 mm (baseline) to 0.29 ± 0.07 mm (P = 0.02). Subsequently, TMH decreased and was the lowest at 1 week at 0.24 ± 0.08 mm. First tear break-up time and average tear break-up time decreased to the lowest at 1 week after eyelash extension, with 8.36 ± 4.6 s and 10.71 ± 4.99 s, respectively, both of which were statistically different from baseline (P < 0.05). Corneal staining score was highest at 1 h after eyelash extensions at 0.78 ± 1.34. However, there were no significant differences in the conjunctival vascular density, bulbar redness, meiboscore, or lipid layer thickness.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that eyelash extensions can lead to an imbalance in ocular surface homeostasis, resulting in corneal epithelial defects and short-term decreased tear film stability.