Mascara Left Overnight Can Scratch the Eye's Cornea

Illustration using mascara. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - The habit of sleeping without cleaning your eye makeup, especially mascara, can have serious effects on eye health. The remains of mascara that are left to stick overnight are at risk of causing irritation to the surface of the eye.

Certified ophthalmologist in New York City, Dr. Jennifer Tsai, revealed that mascara that is not cleaned before going to bed can leave small debris that accumulates under the eyelids. Tsai is known to specialize in dry eye care, ocular aesthetics, and eye regenerative therapy.

In a report by Hindustan Times, he explained that dried mascara particles can form deposits under the eyelids. This deposit then develops into a hard lump or nodule that can potentially irritate the cornea every time the eyes blink.

"This is a small concretion, basically pigmented mascara particles that roll and settle under the conjunctiva and upper eyelid. This causes these hard lumps or nodules, so when you blink, it will irritate the cornea because it scratches the surface," said Tsai via a video uploaded on Instagram.

According to Tsai, the risk increases when users do not thoroughly clean the mascara before going to bed. Small particles that remain will dry and stick to the area under the eyelids, causing discomfort in the eyes.

To prevent the problem, Tsai suggests that all eye makeup should be cleaned before going to bed. He also recommends that the eyelashes be cleaned twice and choose a type of mascara that is easier to remove.

"Clean your eyelashes twice. Make sure you choose a mascara that is not waterproof and if you choose to wear mascara, tubing mascara has become a popular alternative because it forms small tubes around the eyelashes, not a wet layer, so it is easier to clean," said Tsai.