Effects Of Eye Cosmetics Usage, Knowledge, Hygiene And Management Towards Dry Eye Symptoms Among University Students

Abstract

Introduction: Appropriate management and knowledge are essential while using eye cosmetics as poor hygiene can cause ocular inflammation and disrupt the tear film. This study has investigated the effects of eye cosmetic usage, knowledge on the ingredients, hygiene, and management towards dry eyes symptoms. Methods: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and eye cosmetic questionnaires were distributed using a google form to 165 eligible universities’ students in Malaysia. The demographic data, eye cosmetic usage, hygiene, management, knowledge and dry eye symptoms were recorded and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U- test, with the significant value, which was set at p<0.05. Results: There was no statistically significance of OSDI score between light and regular users using cosmetics products except for the pencil eyeliner, which was statistically significant, p<0.05. Additionally, there was no significant difference of dry eye symptoms (OSDI score) between good and bad management p=0.730 and good and bad hygiene p=0.229 of eye cosmetics usage. Nonetheless, many cosmetic users have adequate knowledge regarding eye cosmetics ingredients. Conclusion: Discomfort is primarily caused by applying eye cosmetics close to the ocular surface, such as pencil eyeliner, which increases dry eyes’ symptoms by contaminating the tear film. Although users had sufficient knowledge of eye cosmetic ingredients, negligence towards reading labels was high. Eye cosmetics should be used with proper hygiene and management due to the proximity of application to the ocular region, as contaminated cosmetics could cause more severe symptoms of ocular discomfort and dry eyes.