Optometrist warns of 'bad news' beauty trend that could damage your eyes

As we ring in 2025, many are giving their beauty routines a makeover, with false eyelashes becoming a major trend. However, an eye health expert has sounded the alarm about this beauty staple, suggesting it could be more harmful than people realize.

False lashes have always been popular, but in recent years there's been a boom in the number of individuals either getting extensions at salons or buying store-bought lashes for DIY application. The most shocking shift is in the age of consumers, with younger generations now regularly purchasing and wearing falsies.

Recent research reveals that 33% of Gen Z women (born between 1997 and 2012) use false lashes, compared to just 17% of women overall. Some attribute the resurgence of false lashes to innovative products from Korea and Japan – a trend that's now spreading worldwide.

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With increased exposure to beauty influencers, many Gen Z women are eager to recreate makeup looks, making false lashes a beauty must-have. However, the quest for beauty may come with a hefty price tag.

Incorrect application, using eyelash glue close to the eye, wearing false lashes for prolonged periods without proper eye hygiene could all lead to eye infections, warns Francesca Marchetti, an optometrist and adviser to GoldenEye. She stresses the importance of caution to ensure our love for falsies doesn't result in a wave of eye infections, reports the Mirror.

Francesca revealed, "Recent research has looked at the effect of eyelash extensions on the ocular surface and concluded that eyelash extensions can lead to an imbalance in ocular surface homeostasis, resulting in corneal epithelial defects - corneal epithelial defects are focal areas of epithelial (outermost corneal layer, loss) and short-term decreased tear film stability. These changes are, as a result, bad news for our eye health and could impact our vision."

She also noted, "A further study in Cornea: the Journal of Cornea and External Disease - looked at ocular disorders due to eyelash extensions. This research data found that this included keratoconjunctivitis due to invasion of glue or removing agents in 64 patients, allergic blepharitis due to glues in 42 patients (four of these patients developed both keratoconjunctivitis and allergic blepharitis), conjunctival erosion due to eyelid-fixing tapes in three patients, allergic blepharitis due to eyelid-fixing tapes in one patient, and subconjunctival haemorrhage due to compression during removal of extensions in one patient. It concluded that eyelash extension procedures may cause ocular disorders, such as keratoconjunctivitis and allergic blepharitis – all bad news for our eye health."

Francesca has shed light on the potential eye infections that false eyelashes can cause, and this warning extends to everyday eye makeup like mascara or eyeshadow, especially if they're expired or not properly removed. Styes, which are bacterial infections resulting in a small, swollen red lump on the eyelid, can make the eye itchy and watery.

Francesca advised: "Typically, only one eye will be affected, and it's important not to try to burst the stye yourself and refrain from rubbing the eyes. If infected with a stye you must not share towels with others."

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva inside the eyelid. She explained: "Conjunctivitis is often an infection caused by a virus or bacteria, though an allergy may also cause it. It happens when the blood vessels of the sclera (the white of the eye) become dilated, giving that red-eyed appearance."

She added, "With conjunctivitis eyes will be red, feel warm, a little gritty, itchy and watery – and will produce pus, where some may find their eyelashes stick together, especially after sleeping. Conjunctivitis is contagious when the eyes are red and feel gritty, but if caused by allergies where the eyes are red and watery, it won't be contagious."

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. This can either be anterior blepharitis, which is inflammation at the base of the eyelid caused by bacteria like staphylococci or seborrhoeic dermatitis (a condition that causes a red, flaky and itchy rash on your skin and affects greasier areas like your face, scalp and chest), or posterior blepharitis, an inflammation of the meibomian glands, which help to produce tears.

"Eye symptoms to look out for here are itchy, gritty eyes, sore eyelids and upon waking, eyelids stuck together because of crusty or flaky skins that stick to the eyelashes. Always avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses while you have blepharitis," said Francesca.

When it comes to false eyelashes and eye makeup, Francesca advises: "Use a reputable, trusted beauty salon that has the right accreditation and training to apply false eyelashes and eyelash extensions. They are more likely to follow regulations and know how to apply false eyelashes so there is minimal risk of an eye infection."

Francesca also emphasized the importance of removing makeup before bed: "Don't hop into bed with eye makeup still on. Wash it off. Otherwise, it can encourage bacteria to grow while we sleep, or when tired we tend to touch our eyes which may result in an eye infection if we are also rubbing mascara or eyeliner."

Francesca advises on application: "If applying false eyelashes at home read and follow the application instructions. Additional research or watching how-to-apply videos could also help.

She warns against rubbing: "When eyes are feeling itchy or gritty, the temptation is to rub them – but this actually makes things worse. Our hands are in contact with most things making it easy to transfer bacteria and germs to our faces, making eyes more at risk of infections such as styes, conjunctivitis or blepharitis.

Francesca also urges immediate action: "If you have an eye infection, remove all false eyelashes and treat the eye infection immediately. If you have a minor eye health problem, the pharmacy should be your first port of call.

The pharmacist can use their clinical expertise and practical knowledge to provide advice and treatment recommendations such as GoldenEye Eye Ointment or GoldenEye Eye Drops, which contain antiseptics which help to prevent bacteria from multiplying on the surface of the eye and causing an infection. Always read the label.

Francesca issued a stark warning about the dangers of using old makeup, emphasizing: "Mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow and false eyelashes all have a shelf life. If makeup has been open for longer than the recommended product life shelf there is increased risk of bacteria forming, which could result in skin sensitivities and eye conditions.

"The same with false eyelashes, if they are only meant to be worn once, or for a certain amount of time, once that is up they should be discarded. ".