Blepharitis risks and the impact of eyelash extensions

Blepharitis, an eyelid condition often linked to dry eye syndrome, affects approximately 30% to 50% of patients visiting ophthalmologists. Symptoms include burning, itching, redness, tearing, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Because symptoms can be mild, many individuals may have eyelid alterations or Meibomian gland dysfunction without realizing it.

Dr. Christos Pitsas, President of the Hellenic Ophthalmological Society and Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Asklepieio Voulas, notes that the use of false eyelashes and extensions can cause or exacerbate eyelid irritation and inflammation. While traditional treatments focused on eyelid hygiene and pharmaceuticals, newer medical techniques involving light and heat are now being utilized to manage the condition.