Purpose: To compare the effects on tear film parameters and contamination in cosmetic eyeliner wearers, after single application of two lipid-based dry eye treatments: a lipid-containing lubricant eye drop and a phospholipid liposomal spray.
Methods: Fifty participants were enrolled in a prospective, randomised, paired-eye, investigator-masked trial. Pencil eyeliner (Body Shop® Crayon Eye Definer) was applied to the upper eyelid periocular skin of both eyes, anterior to the lash line. Baseline tear film quality was assessed fifteen minutes after eyeliner application. A lubricant drop (Systane® Balance) was then applied to one eye (randomised), and liposomal spray (Tears Again®) to the contralateral eye. Tear film contamination, lipid layer grade, non-invasive tear film break-up time and tear evaporation rate were evaluated fifteen minutes post-treatment and compared to pre-treatment values.
Results: Pre-treatment measurements did not differ between eyes assigned to lubricant drop and liposomal spray. Tear film contamination was observed in a greater proportion of eyes following both treatments (both p<0.05), with no significant difference between treatments (p=0.41). Both treatments improved lipid layer thickness (both p≤0.01), but effected no significant change in non-invasive tear film break-up time or tear evaporation rate (all p>0.05). Changes in tear film parameters did not differ between treatments (all p>0.05).
Conclusions: Both the lipid-containing lubricant eye drop and phospholipid liposomal spray result in clinically apparent tear film contamination in eyeliner cosmetic wearers. Although both treatments effected an increase in lipid layer thickness, neither displayed clinical efficacy in improving tear film stability.
Keywords: Contamination; Dry eye; Eye cosmetics; Lipid layer; Tear film; Tear film stability.
Copyright © 2017 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.