A study completed by Dr. Alison Ng while at Cardiff University found that eyeliner applied to the inner eyelid can contaminate the tear film and may cause vision problems including irritation, blurred vision and infection.

The research team observed that after just five minutes glitter eyeliner applied to the inner lid margin resulted in 15 to 30% more particles in the tear film than when makeup is applied outside the lash line only.

The waxes, oils, silicones and natural gums present in makeup can cause redness and discomfort when they enter the tear film, particularly for contact lens wearers, but the greater concern is that old makeup harbouring bacteria can lead to infections. Dr. Ng, now a fellow at the University of Waterloo, recommends, “If you thoroughly sharpen your pencil eyeliner before each application and get rid of the stuff that’s stuck to the end, you’ll have a fresh tip which can help prevent infection. With a twist-up eyeliner, cut some off the end before each use.”

Further information: https://uwaterloo.ca/news/news/study-finds-eyeliner-application-may-cause-eye-problems

Researchers at University of California San Diego have identified a gene mutation responsible for achromatopsia, a disorder where malformed proteins in the retina’s cone photoreceptors restrict patients to viewing the world in black and white. Patients suffering from achromatopsia also experience reduced visual acuity and sensitivity to bright light, requiring tinted lenses indoors and outdoors, and in severe cases are legally blind.

Congenital achromatopsia is an uncommon inherited disorder that can afflict entire families. There are five genetic mutations known to cause achromatopsia, though cases arose where none of the known mutations were present, leading scientists to suspect that other genes were involved. The research team analyzed the gene sequences of 18 patients from 10 different families that lacked the previously discovered mutations and discovered that all 18 patients had a mutation in the ATF6 gene.

Dr. Jonathan Lin, senior author of the study, said this finding offered the possibility of treating achromatopsia, which currently has no cure, through gene therapy. The ATF6 mutation may be related to other dysfunctions of the cone receptor, such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

Further Information: http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.3319.html