Marginal Eyeliner Use and Meibomian Gland Function.

Background/

Objectives

To investigate whether chronic cosmetics use near or directly on the eyelid margin contributes to tear film instability and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods

Subjects were enrolled in one of three groups: those who rarely wear makeup (No-M), those who wear it frequently but only outside the eyelid margin (Min-M), and those who wear it frequently and directly on the eyelid margin (W-M). Subjects were assessed for dry eye signs and symptoms by a masked examiner. Lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear meniscus height, meibomian gland excreta grade, number of glands secreting, corneal and conjunctival staining and tear breakup time were assessed.

Results

10 No-M, 18 Min-M, and 21 W-M subjects completed the study. Average fluorescein breakup time was 4.6 s in each group (p = 0.839, 1-way ANOVA). There were higher scores (worse findings) in the marginal eyeliner sample for symptoms (modified Schein, OSDI, SPEED), Oxford and total NEI staining and lower lid meibomian secretions. The W-M group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the meibomian gland excreta grade (a worsening) compared to the No-M group (mean grades 1.2 and 0.55 respectively; Tukey test, adjusted p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.055-1.187). LLT, tear breakup time, eyelid marginal signs, and meibomian gland dropout had no differences among groups.

Conclusions

Eyeliner wear both outside and on the eyelid margin demonstrated increased ocular staining and decreased gland excretion quality, compared to non-makeup users. The meibomian gland excreta decrement may lead to worsening meibomian gland function and potentially glandular atrophy over time.