Beauty Knows No Pain...Or Does It?

You’ve seen them. Maybe it’s your friend with those lashes that just go on for miles, or your favorite movie star that the paparazzi can never seem to catch without their eyes looking flawless. Want know their secret? They are wearing fake lashes! While gluing individual synthetic lashes onto your natural lashes may give you the oh-so-glamorous look you’re going for, there are serious safety concerns to consider before “going under the glue.”

The biggest risk involved with eyelash extensions is an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in the adhesive. Most adhesives are formaldehyde-based which can cause allergic reactions with symptoms including itching, swelling, or redness of the eye lid. Just ask Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth about her eyelash extension escapade. During an interview with Anderson Cooper in 2012, Chenoweth talked about her unfortunate experience with eyelash extensions and referred to formaldehyde as “dead people’s juice” and declared “no amount of beauty is worth it!” 

We all know swollen, itchy eyes can weaken our vision, but there are other side effects associated with eyelash extensions that can truly impair our eye sight. Two of the more serious complications are conjunctivitis and keratitis. Conjunctivitis, a fancy name for pink eye, is the inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Extensions can cause conjunctivitis when bacteria or fungi get trapped by fake lashes. Keratitis occurs when the eye’s cornea becomes inflamed. People with keratitis often experience moderate to intense pain, a scratching sensation while blinking and impaired eye sight.  Sounds kind of scary, huh?

Our advice at Prevent Blindness Texas is to pass on the idea of extensions all together! Stick to mascara and use it safely! The American Academy of Ophthalmology shared an insightful article from Consumer Reports about mascara safety:

• Wash your hands before applying mascara
• Replace your mascara every 3 months
• Never borrow or share mascara 
• Don’t add water to dried out mascara

For additional tips on how to use mascara safely click here!

References: 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/05/eyelash-extensions-can-pose-health-risks/index.htm

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/risks-of-using-eyelash-extensions.html

 
 

Leave the Firework Displays to the Professionals

Back in 1997 when Colin Burns of Chicago was in the 5th grade, his life changed when shrapnel and gunpowder from a firework that someone else lit, destroyed his left eye. To make matters even worse, Burns was already being treated for amblyopia, or lazy eye. The accident caused him to replace his “good eye” with a prosthetic eye and he then needed to rely on his weaker eye to compensate. Burns endured multiple surgeries over the next few years, including one where doctors moved tissue from his bottom lip to his eye socket to help fill up space. Because the risk of injury to his right eye was too great, he was not able to play in organized sports growing up.

Despite his injury, Burns accomplished tremendous amounts, including recently graduating law school. However, the lingering effects of his eye injury have made many activities, including driving and reading, more difficult.

“Of course as a child, I didn’t fully realize how important healthy eyes were until my accident,” said Burns. “I hope my story will serve as a reminder to everyone, especially parents, on how dangerous fireworks can be.”

Independence Day is the biggest day of the year for fireworks and it’s just around the corner! Last year in the U.S. alone 8,700 injuries, all due to fireworks, were treated in emergency rooms. Fireworks are unpredictable and unsafe, so this year, let’s leave the firework displays to the professionals. We hope everyone has a safe and fun Independence Day!