Robert Abel, Jr., MD
Robert Abel, Jr., MD, ophthalmologist, Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Delaware, and former professor of ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. He is author of The Eye Care Revolution.
Q: My mascara flakes off and gets on my contact lenses, which irritates my eyes. Is there a type of mascara that’s best for contact lens wearers?
A: Soft contact lenses are about 50% water and designed to be permeable — their surface is basically a very fine mesh — so any material that is water-soluble can get lodged in the fabric of the lenses and cause irritation. For this reason, water-resistant mascaras are most appropriate for contact wearers because they are made of materials that are less likely to flake and permeate the mesh. To further minimize potentially irritating flaking, apply your mascara before you insert your contacts (if you can see well enough to do so)… and take the lenses out before you remove your mascara.
Wearing mascara and contacts simultaneously also brings a small risk for infection of the eye, since the contact lenses and the mascara wand can harbor harmful bacteria. To minimize this risk, clean the wand at least once a month by washing with baby shampoo (and rinsing afterward)… and replace your mascara every three months whether or not it’s used up.
Editor’s note: Blinc, a new type of water-resistant mascara, forms tiny tubes around each eyelash, minimizing flaking and irritation for contact lens wearers. Cost: $25 (877-454-7763, www.BlincInc.com).
