Cosmetic Safety for Teen Contact Lens Wearers

What eye hazards may be linked to cosmetic use?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association, cosmetics are among some of the most common sources of problems for contact lens wearers. Misusing cosmetics can lead to severe harmful reactions, including the following:

• Deposits on the lens

• Eye irritation

• Allergy

• Injury

• Infection

• Dryness

What safety practices should take place?

There are safety measures for choosing, applying, and wearing cosmetics. You should discuss these with your daughter to help protect her eyes while wearing contact lenses. Make sure she follows these suggestions for safe use:

• Choose unscented, hypoallergenic cosmetics manufactured by a well-known, trusted brand name.

• Wash your hands before inserting or removing your contact lenses.

• Don’t expose eyes to water while wearing contact lenses.

• Don’t borrow makeup and don’t lend your cosmetics to others.

• Wash all makeup application brushes often.

• Apply makeup after inserting the contact lenses.

• Don’t reuse your old applicator with mascara refills.

• Don’t use frosted, pearlized, iridescent, or other glittery types of eye shadow. These may contain ground oyster shells or tinsel.

• Don’t apply eyeliner to the inner edge of the lid or above the lash line on the lower lid.

• Don’t use loose powder on the face.

• Don’t apply creams too close to the eyes.

• Never apply eye makeup while in motion or while driving.

• Don’t use water or saliva to wet applicator or thin cosmetics.

• Don’t apply cosmetics if your eyes are red, swollen, or infected. If symptoms last, an ophthalmologist or optometrist should be called.