A painful mix-up between makeup glue and eye drops is sending an increasing number of people to ophthalmologists and ER doctors for help.
As false eyelashes have become more popular, so too, is makeup glue to attach the lashes. Many people also keep eye drops handy.
As a result, doctors now are seeing patients who have fished around for eye drops, inadvertently grabbed eyelash glue and are accidentally gluing their eyelids shut.
“It’s actually surprisingly common, and I’ve seen it a few times,” said Dr. G. Conner Nix, a senior ophthalmologist resident at the UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus. “The good news about this mix-up is that usually people do fine, although it can be very annoying and very scary.”
Many of the glues used in beauty products are similar to what ophthalmologists use on corneas for various eye diseases. Nix explained that sterile versions of what we know as “superglue” are used when treating conditions such as a hole in the cornea.
The cornea is like a “clear windshield for the eye,” he said, with five layers that protect the inside of the eye from debris, as well as providing the eye its focusing power. The top layer of the cornea is what typically becomes stuck to the lid because of a foreign substance such as glue.
“People think they’ve permanently glued their eyes shut, but usually there are no long-term vision consequences.”
In most instances, the eye itself is protected by our eyelids, as well as the tears we produce when the eye comes into contact with dust and debris.
“The glue usually hardens on the eyelids, and the tears provide a buffer, so often people get lucky when an accident like this occurs.”
How do people mistakenly use nail or eyelash glue instead of eye drops?
There are several reasons why this mishap is a more common occurrence than many might think, both across the country and here in Colorado.
According to Nix, more people are mixing up eyelash glue and eye drops. Here are some of the reasons why:
- The small plastic bottles containing nail and eyelash glue are very similar in size and shape to those used for eye lubricants or eye whitening drops.
- The bottles are usually found together in a makeup bag or purse, a bathroom drawer, or on a bathroom counter, and can be easily mistaken for each other.
- Older adults and those with glaucoma and vision problems are sometimes unable to correctly read the labels differentiating the products.
- Children having easy access to nail and eyelash glue mistakenly put it in their eyes.
- Our hectic lifestyle. Nix said most of us have make the common mistake of taking a wrong vitamin or medication from our many vials of pills: It’s no different with eye drops.
“We’re all in a hurry and life gets busy. We need to just take a moment, slow down and be careful about what we are doing, especially when it comes to taking medication and using anything that goes into our eyes.’’
Mistaking glue for eyedrops: Colorado’s dry weather contributes to the problem
Mile-high residents and folks who live in mountain towns usually find themselves reaching for a bottle of eye lubricant more often than those living at sea level because of dry eyes.
Symptoms of dry eyes include eyes feeling tired, as well as intermittent blurry vision or vision that might change when you blink.
Winter conditions can make things worse because of the drop in moisture in the outside air and the decrease of moisture inside because of heat. Add in the sun’s reflection on snow, along with strong winds during colder months, and it can lead to a host of eye problems, especially in higher elevation.
For those frequently using eye drops, mistakes can happen, Nix said.
What should I do if I accidently got glue in my eye?
Glue sets quickly on skin – you’ll know it’s a problem if your eyelid becomes stuck when you blink and it won’t open.
Here’s advice from Nix on what to do if you accidently got makeup glue in your eye:
- Don’t panic. It’s important to stay calm, especially if dealing with a child.
- Don’t rub the eye.
- Place a towel soaked in warm water on the eye for a few minutes to try and soften the glue.
- Flush eye with warm water to try and rinse away the glue.
- Don’t try to force the eye open, as that can create more harm than the glue itself.
- Seek medical help the same day if your eye won’t open after 10 or 15 minutes, or if you are in pain.
- Nix said it’s fine to go to your ophthalmologist the same day, or head to your local
Doctors who specialize in eye care will use more warm water, along with eye lotions and lubricants, to help open the eye.
“We’re usually very successful, as we use a lot of eye “goop,” for lack of a better term, and some gentle traction, in getting the eye to open. Once that happens, things will heal within a few days,” he said.
For the few patients with an eyelid that won’t open, rather than force it, they will be sent home with some eye lubricant drops. Nix said the eye will open on its own within a few days.
In very rare circumstances, glue will cause permanent damage to the cornea. A more common outcome is the glue’s alcohol component causing ocular irritation, a low-grade chemical burn or an allergic reaction showing up as redness.
With these cases, antibiotic drops are prescribed to avoid potential eye infections, Nix said.
How to avoid accidentally putting glue in the eye?
Because Colorado residents consume eye drops at a high rate, Nix advised people to:
- Keep eye drops separate from other small bottles.
- Make sure children can’t access either eye drops or glue.
- Distinguish bottles with a marker, tape or identifying labels.
- Pay as close attention to eye medication as other prescriptions.
“Become aware of how the bottles look and feel in the hand, which is important in low-lit rooms or for those who have vision problems. And don’t feel foolish about getting help when you need it from an ER or urgent care: Mistakes happen, and we are there to make sure you get the best outcome as possible.”
Emergency care Eye care Ophthalmology