title: Ocular manifestations of long-term mascara use.
abstract: Mascara, a widely used cosmetic, is associated with eye pathology. The authors report 3 cases of eye problems secondary to long-term mascara use. Two patients had multiple pigmented conjunctival lesions; one of these had a history of melanoma of the hand. Conjunctival biopsy revealed nonmelanocytic pigment granules within conjunctival stroma cells in both cases. The other patient had a history of dry eye, and also showed pigment clumping around a punctal plug. The third patient had canalicular obstruction from a mascara-laden dacryolith ("dacryomascaralith"), the first such case reported. A literature review revealed cases of eyelid dermatitis, infectious keratitis, a conjunctival mass ("mascaroma"), and others. Ophthalmologists should be aware of mascara's associated eye problems. The physical findings combined with a high index of suspicion, especially in cases of heavy mascara use, may allow for an accurate diagnosis and spare the patient an otherwise unnecessary invasive procedure.
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12159,, USA. Joseph_Ciolino@meei.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ciolino
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Dale R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics