Eye make up use and Glaucoma

[OverThePondAndWest]

I just read through a great thread from four years ago about mascara and eye health. I’d be very grateful to know if any of the lovely people who posted would write again about their experience with mascara and glaucoma. Has anyone narrowed in on a particular brand that is least irritating or likely to cause a flare-up, given that several years have passed since the original post? This 68-year-old could really use some eyelash definition to look less washed out. Many thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

[Laura7777]

In the early days of my glaucoma I saw a lady Consultant and she advised that eye make up would be OK but to avoid powder shadows because of small particles falling into the eye and iritating it. She also told me that generally, removing the eye make up would be likey to cause more problems as it is difficult to stop the remover going into your eye.

As I was 28 at the time (68 now) I was pretty relieved to hear this advice from her. I have not been a heavy user of eye shadows over the years but there haven't been many days when I didn't wear mascara. I haven't had any problems/flare ups that I know of that have been caused by eye make up and on the whole, my glaucoma has been stable for the vast majority of the time.

As to brands, I've never got on with the heavy mascaras and I have mostly stayed with Max Factor over the 40 years.

Hope this is of some help.

Best Wishes, Laura

[711debbie in reply to Laura7777]

Assuming you're in the US, you just need vegan eye make-up. You should be able to find Essence in drugstores. We also have Catrice here in Central Europe but I'm not sure it's in the States. These are very cheap brands but very reliable. NYX also carries some vegan items. Their mascaras and eye pencils are just great, and their shadows are also super. NYX also carries some vegan items. You could find more expensive brands by googling or checking Amazon.

[OverThePondAndWest in reply to 711debbie]

I am in the US and will look for vegan formulations, Debbie--thanks for the recommendation!

[OverThePondAndWest in reply to Laura7777]

In our 20s we never thought about the care of our eyes...🙄 or any other health issues.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond, Laura. I will skip eye shadow and be happy I can use mascara (and eyebrow pencil). Will take care with remover.

Best back to you!

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

I would just like to add that any mascara or eyeliner must be changed every 3 months for hygiene reasons. If a person has just undergone eye surgery and wants to get back to wearing mascara, they must start with a new one.

[OverThePondAndWest in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks, Trish! I'm pretty neurotic about changing mascara regularly but it never hurts to be reminded! Bacteria LOVE that environment...😉