10/03/2025
My Tattoos Caused My Dry Eye?
I just had a patient with recurring redness to her eyes. She had tattooed eyeliner done many years ago in her youth.
Of course, I explained to her that Optometrists are now aware that tattooing of the lid margins can bring on early dry eye symptoms.
She mentioned that if this knowledge had been available back when she had the procedure done, that she would not have done it at all.
I of course thought it would be a good idea if I could find a source of research and post so all those contemplating eyelid tinting would know the full facts of what can happen as an after effect.
Attached is a case report which really goes through all the need-to-know points.
Caitlin J Morrison OD
Joseph M Stamm OD FAAO (Dipl)
SUNY College of Optometry, New York, New York
Correspondence may be directed to: cmorrison@sunyopt.edu
Abstract
Purpose: This case report describes the potential impact of tattooed eyeliner on eyelid structure and
function resulting in an increase in dry eye symptoms and findings.
Case Report: A 59-year-old Hispanic female presented for an evaluation following longstanding dry eye
symptoms with little relief from artificial tears. Imaging showed meibomian gland dropout, possibly a
result of her tattooed eyeliner. Symptoms and objective measurements improved successfully with warm
compresses, lid massage, and lipid-based artificial tears.
Conclusions. Permanent tattooed eyeliner may enhance dryness of the eyes in two main ways: disruption
of the architecture of the lids and chronic inflammation from tattoo pigment granules. Recognizing these
possible effects in patients with tattooed eyeliner may help tailor treatment to be specific to the etiology of
the patient’s dry eye: aiding the remaining meibomian glands by utilizing warm compresses, lid massage
and supplementing the lipid from the missing meibomian glands by employing lipid-based artificial tears
This is a University of Waterloo (Ontario) pdf download
