Sarah Koseki, a 41-year-old field consultant from Boise, Idaho, has developed a debilitating chronic eye condition after sleeping in her eye makeup for two decades. What she initially believed were dry eyes due to genetics or aging was eventually diagnosed as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), an incurable condition that causes blockages in the oil-producing glands of the eyelids.
Koseki's symptoms began about five years ago when her eyelid became stuck to her eye, causing intense pain and an inability to see or sleep. Despite experiencing agonizing corneal tears every three months, doctors initially told her the issue was genetic. Each tear left her unable to work or read to her children for two days, forcing her to retreat to a dark room to endure the pain.
After a particularly severe episode in January 2021, where her eyelid felt like Velcro adhering to her eye, she sought further medical attention. A specialist, after scanning her meibomian glands, diagnosed her with MGD in August 2022. The doctor attributed the condition to her habit of sleeping in makeup, which can obstruct the meibomian glands' oil flow. Koseki described the pain of a corneal tear as worse than childbirth.
Koseki's daily routine now includes using eye drops six times a day, cleaning her eyes with tea tree oil, and applying a heat mask to soften the gland oils. She has also stopped wearing eye makeup, except for under-eye concealer, due to the risk. "It's too risky to wear eyeshadow or mascara, even if I were to wash it off," she stated. Previously, she engaged in heavy eye makeup application, including eyeliner on the waterline, and would often go to bed without removing it, especially after nights out. As a side sleeper, she noticed she would rub one eye into her pillow, pushing makeup further into her eye.
To manage flare-ups, Koseki now uses a contact bandage, a protective shield that significantly eases the pain by 75%. She has also undergone Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, which applies pulses of light to the eyelids and cheeks to help unblock the meibomian glands. Following the IPL procedure, she went 18 months without a corneal tear. However, she noted that many treatments are not covered by insurance, leading to significant personal expenses for her condition.
Koseki expressed regret for not knowing the potential consequences of her makeup habit, stating, "Had I known it would lead to this, I would have implemented a nighttime face wash routine." She now advises others to be cautious about their makeup practices and seek proper advice, as she found that some advice, like using baby oil mixed with water, could increase infection risk.