Give your cosmetics bag a make over - avoid a painful eye infection by discarding out-of-date products

Optegra Eye Clinic has revealed that many of us are wearing eye make-up much older than the recommended use by date, unaware that each item has a ‘best before’ date from when it is opened.

Out-of-date eye shadow, eye liner and especially mascara which is a dark, wet product, can be breeding grounds for bacteria and, as we apply them so close to the surface of the eye, they may cause painful infections.

Generally, each product should be discarded after:

• Mascara - 4 months
• Powder eye shadow - 12 months
• Creamy eye shadow - 6 months
• Liquid eye liner - 3-6 months
• Foundation - 6 months

Nihal Elghryany, Optegra ophthalmologist, says: “Harmful germs can build-up in your make-up and cause eye infections, just in the same way that food can make you poorly if you eat it past the best before date. When you first open your make-up, you should write the opening date in marker pen at the bottom of the container to remind you about when to replace it.

“Some people believe that it’s only cheaper eye make-up that is more likely to lead to infection - this is not true. All eye make-up has a shelf life, no matter what it costs, the risks are the same!

“You can check the best before date or the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on each product. It looks like an open jar of cream and has the number of months next to it that a product is safe to use after opening. It can vary hugely from item to item.

“If you do succumb to an eye infection – with pain, redness, itching, watery eyes – keep your eyes clean, avoid wearing make-up and place a warm, damp cloth on closed eyes.

“If symptoms continue please go straight to your local optician or pharmacy for medication to ease the symptoms.”

Optegra recommends following these top tips for keeping your eyes infection-free:

Keep it cool: Cosmetics normally contain preservatives to help prevent bacteria growth but storing them in a hot place will make it easy for bacteria to thrive. Keep them away from direct sunlight and even in the fridge in the warmer summer months.

Keep it clean: Get into good make-up hygiene habits by sharpening eye pencils between applications, washing brushes regularly and turning out old make-up. Also wash your hands before applying make-up or changing contact lenses.

Keep it to yourself: It’s not always good to share, particularly when it comes to make-up as this can lead to eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Germs thrive in dark environments, such as mascara tubes, and can also be transferred via make-up brushes and towels.

Take it off: Remember to thoroughly remove make-up in the evening as leftover cosmetics may cause chronic eye irritation.

For more information about taking care of your eyes visit: www.optegra.com

Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 78 eye hospitals across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Holland.

As well as providing private vision correction treatments – from lens replacement and laser eye surgery to implantable contact lenses – Optegra treats cataract surgery both privately and through its partnership with the NHS. Optegra also treats medical conditions AMD and glaucoma; and has launched the first ever treatment for people with the Dry form of AMD.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. It performs more than 140,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.