In a harrowing tale of vanity gone awry, one woman’s beauty obsession nearly cost her the gift of sight, offering a stark warning to makeup enthusiasts everywhere.
For many, cosmetics can be an indispensable part of their daily routine, boosting confidence and self-esteem. However, Theresa Lynch, a 50-year-old mother of two from Sydney, Australia, found out the hard way that taking makeup use to the extreme can lead to severe health consequences.
Warning: This story contains graphic details!
Lynch is now using her frightening experience to emphasize the importance of personal hygiene, particularly when it comes to removing makeup. While it’s common knowledge that leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores and cause breakouts, Lynch wants to warn others that the repercussions can be far more severe.
Having worn mascara for 25 years without ever removing it, Lynch developed solid black lumps beneath her eyelids that put her at risk of blindness. When the eye irritation became unbearable, she sought medical help. Initially attempting eye drops, Lynch was shocked when doctors revealed the calcified makeup bumps, known as concretions, lodged beneath her eyelids.
With her eyesight in peril, Lynch underwent emergency surgery to remove the lumps. The 90-minute procedure saved her eyes from potentially permanent damage. Dr. Dana Robaei, who treated Lynch, shared the horrifying images of her eyes to deter others from continuous mascara use and to stress the importance of removing makeup before bed.
Describing her ordeal, Lynch said, “I was so uncomfortable. My eyelids were swollen and heavy because I left it for so long.” She recalls Dr. Robaei’s shock at the severity of her condition, having never encountered such a case in her career. The realization that her excessive mascara use could have led to permanent damage was terrifying for Lynch.
Admitting her bad habit of wearing too much makeup and failing to remove it, Lynch emphasizes the importance of proper makeup removal every night. “You can’t miss a single day,” she says.
Dr. Robaei has taken Lynch’s case as an opportunity to raise awareness about the risks of not washing off makeup daily. In a study she published on Lynch’s injuries, Dr. Robaei indicated that the mother of two could have gone blind if the issue had not been addressed.
“Every time Theresa was blinking, these (lumps) scratched the surface of the eye, and with the infections, there is a risk this could be potentially blinding,” Dr. Robaei warned.
The takeaway from this tragic yet eye-opening story is clear: Always wash off your makeup before bed.
Source: AWM
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