Rehovot Teen Suffers Eye Injury from Artificial Eyelash Glue Bought Online
A teenage girl from Rehovot was treated at Kaplan Medical Center after eyelash glue entered her eye. Doctors warn about online beauty product hazards and proper emergency rinsing.
A 15-year-old girl from Rehovot recently suffered chemical irritation to her eye after accidentally spilling artificial eyelash glue inside it while preparing to go out with friends. Her mother rushed her to the pediatric emergency room at Kaplan Medical Center, part of the Clalit Health Services group, where doctors successfully treated the injury.
Pediatric ER Cases Involving Eyelash Glue
Dr. Efrat Shapira-Levy, a physician in the pediatric emergency department at Kaplan, reported treating several teenage girls who purchased online shopping items from abroad and suffered similar injuries. Patients experienced burning and eye pain, while one teenager developed conjunctivitis due to persistent redness.
Eyelash glue hardens rapidly upon contact with moisture, so when it enters the eye, it can adhere to the cornea, eyelashes, or eyelids, explained Dr. Shapira.
In severe cases, the adhesive fuses eyelashes together, preventing the patient from opening the eye. Ophthalmologists sometimes must carefully cut the lashes using specialized medical instruments to restore functionality and administer proper treatment.
Risks and Recommended Emergency Response
Medical experts emphasize that potential damage ranges from burning, redness, tearing, and allergic reactions to chemical burns and corneal injury. Recovery depends on the substance, the amount entered, and individual sensitivity.
If glue enters the eye, specialists recommend the following steps:
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Rinse the eye thoroughly with plenty of water for at least fifteen minutes.
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Seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room or from an ophthalmologist.
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Avoid rubbing the eye, scraping the glue, or forcibly separating stuck eyelids.
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Never use acetone, nail polish remover, or other solvents, which can cause severe ocular damage.
Recent international studies also highlight additional risks associated with artificial eyelashes. Research published in the Daily Mail involving 345 female participants revealed that nearly half suffered from redness, itching, or discomfort, while microscopic evaluations found tiny mites accumulating in eyelash areas due to trapped debris and adhesive buildup.
