An essential guide to eye lash care for dry eye sufferers

As one of the estimated 1 in 3 people in the UK affected by dry eye you not only have to cope with dry, gritty, uncomfortable eyes but you might also notice your eye lashes becoming broken and sparce.

The loss of, or the appearance of shorter or thinning eyelashes, is a common symptom of on-going dry eye and related conditions such as blepharitis. This change to your appearance can add to the overall distress that dry eye brings. But help is at hand from the Dry Eye Zone. Have a read of this essential guide to helping keep your precious eye lashes lush.

The basics - keep your eye lids and lashes clean and clear

A good hygiene routine is one of the most critical things you can do to manage dry eye in general, as well as caring for your eye lashes. Whatever cleanser you select be aware that it is likely that traces will enter your eye and cause irritation if it is not specifically formulated with dry eye in mind.  Use a dry eye specialist cleanser morning and night to help protect your lashes from bacteria and lid mite overgrowth which can lead to more irritation. Good hygiene will also help keep the oil gland ducts in your eye lids clear to allow the natural conditioning oils to flow onto your eye lids and lashes. This helps prevent your eye lashes becoming dry and brittle and your eye lids red and inflamed.

Choose your make-up with care

Many every day cosmetic ingredients are too harsh for dry, sensitive eyes and eye lids, they potentially make your dry eye worse and affect the condition of your lashes. There is a growing awareness that dry eye sufferers need to look for specialist cosmetics in order to keep their lashes in good condition. It can be both difficult and time-consuming making these choices so the Dry Eye Zone has done the research for you on what chemicals to avoid.

Never leave make-up on over night

To be fair you most likely know this but when you arrive home late at night it can be a temptation to let your head hit the pillow still wearing your make-up. To help protect your lashes and stop dry eye getting worse it is really important to remove all traces of eye make-up. Select a gentle oil-free remover, and make sure you avoid harsh rubbing, as this can potentially cause irritation and worsening of dry eye symptoms.

Keep your lashes moisturised

If you have dry eye then there is a tendency for your eye lashes to lose condition and become dry and brittle. A dry eye friendly eye lash serum will help address this. Another tip from the Dry Eye Zone is to use an eye drop that contains a higher level of hyaluronic acid – a moisturiser favoured by high end skin care. When applying to your eyes add place an extra drop on your clean finger and gently apply to the edge of eye lids and lashes. This works well as a morning and night-time lash treat as you will not be disturbing your make-up.

Throw away old mascaras

Let’s face it make-up is expensive and it can be tempting to keep your favourite mascara far longer than is recommended. This means as well as applying mascara to your lashes you could also be delivering unwanted bacteria. And when selecting a mascara look for a hypoallergenic formulation free from the harsh chemicals which affect dry eye sufferer’s lids and lashes – that includes potentially harmful waterproofing agents which can also require hasher cleansers to remove.

Just say NO to eye lash extensions.

If you see the loss of your eye’s natural lashes it can be tempting to consider having false lashes and lash extensions applied. Optometrists are increasingly reporting allergic reactions and sensitivities in patients which result sore, irritated, red and swollen eye lids, and not to mention further eye lash loss.

Eye lash growth serums – could they be the answer?

There is little doubt that the prostaglandin and prostaglandin analogue (PGAs) containing eye lash serums work, however they have also been shown to trigger dry eye. The good news is that there is now a dry eye friendly eye lash restorative serum which does not rely on prostaglandins. These serums promote natural growth and usually take 6-8 weeks to see significant results which is in line with your lashes natural growth cycle.

Think about the bigger picture – diet

Just like for dry eye in general most eye care professionals are increasingly taking a more holistic approach to treatment. For your eye lashes this might include making sure you have a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, Vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3, and proteins to help promote hair growth including your lashes.  Omega-3 oils, have an anti-inflammatory role which helps in the management of dry eye generally.

Visit the Dry Eye Zone to learn more about how, as someone with dry eye, you can love your lashes. If you are suffering from eye lash loss, or have any dry eye concerns, then it is also important to tell your eye care professional who will be happy to give you individual advice.

You can learn more about all things dry eye related at the DRY EYE ZONE. Don’t forget to subscribe to the regular free information and research updates.

If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms then you should ask the advice of your eye care professional. Why not book your next eye examination with an independent optician today.

Sources:

Vidal-Rohr M, Craig JP, Davies LN, Wolffsohn JS. The epidemiology of dry eye disease in the UK: The Aston dry eye study. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023 Jun;46(3):101837. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2023.101837. Epub 2023 Mar 30. PMID: 37003925.

Dane Sultzer, The connection between dry eye and eyelashes, The Optometry Times, September 30, 2015

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/connection-between-dry-eye-and-eyelashes

Han J, Xie Z, Zhu X, Ruan W, Lin M, Xu Z, Miao L, Zhong J, Lu F, Hu L. The effects of eyelash extensions on the ocular surface. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024 Apr;47(2):102109. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2023.102109. Epub 2024 Jan 3. Erratum in: Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024 Dec;47(6):102286. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102286.