Impact Of Long-Term Eye Makeup Use On Meibomian Gland Function
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PP06.06 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/qj5k-w818
Authors: Jin-Yu Chang* 1 , Nai-Wen Fan 2
1Ophthalmology,Taipei Veterans General Hospital,Taipei,Taiwan, Province of China, 2Ophthalmology,Taipei Veterans General Hospital,Taipei,Taiwan, Province of China;School of Medicine,National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University,Taipei,Taiwan, Province of China
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of prolonged eye makeup usage on meibomian gland function.
Setting
Females who regularly wear eye makeup may experience deposition of cosmetic particles on the tear film, which can obstruct the meibomian glands. Additionally, certain cosmetic ingredients might be toxic to these glands, potentially inducing meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—a condition characterized by terminal gland obstruction and altered secretion that leads to tear film instability and ocular surface irritation.
Methods
In this prospective cohort study, 40 female participants over the age of 20 were enrolled. The exposure group comprised 20 long-term eye makeup users (more than 4 days per week for over a year), while the control group included 20 individuals. Evaluations included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, meibomian gland expressibility, gland quality, lid margin signs, lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibomian gland area, corneal fluorescein staining, and tear film breakup time. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test.
Results
Baseline characteristics (age, contact lens use, refractive surgery, and screen time) were similar between groups. In the exposure group (mean age 35.95 ± 6.75 years; makeup usage 58.35 ± 21.46 hours/week; duration 14.30 ± 6.52 years), tear film breakup time, Schirmer I test values, meibomian gland quality, and lower lid gland area were significantly reduced compared to controls (mean age 33.50 ± 9.53 years) (p < 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively). Additionally, anterior displacement of the mucocutaneous junction was more frequent in the exposure group (p < 0.01), while OSDI, corneal staining, LLT, upper lid gland area, gland expressibility, meibum plugging, and telangiectasia showed no significant differences.
Conclusions
Long-term eye makeup use may adversely affect meibomian gland function—particularly in the lower eyelids—thereby contributing to tear film instability. These findings underscore the potential ocular surface risks associated with prolonged exposure to eye makeup substances.