Woman Nearly Loses Sight After Never Taking Makeup Off

As a busy mum, it can be difficult to find time for taking makeup off, but one woman has learnt the importance of cleansing your face the hard way…

We’re constantly told that taking makeup off is one of the most important steps in the quest for perfect skin, but it turns out that forgetting to remove your eye makeup can have a negative impact on your health.

Sydney woman, Theresa, was almost blinded after she failed to take off her mascara properly for more than 25 years!

Permanent Damage

Theresa paid a visit to her doctor after some eye drops she was using to soothe eye irritation failed to provide relief, KIIS 106.5 reports. What the doctor discovered was truly stomach turning. Little black lumps were found underneath Theresa’s eyelids which turned out to be a build-up of mascara. Twenty-five years worth to be precise!

The Importance of Taking Makeup Off

“The lumps were embedded so deep that particles were building up on top of each other. I was so uncomfortable.” Theresa said. “My eyelids were swollen and heavy because I left it for so long.”

Theresa admits that the problem was entirely self-inflicted. “I had fallen into a bad habit of wearing a lot of makeup and not washing it off,” she said. “I should never have let it get this far.”

Serious Consequences

Theresa’s doctor said she was lucky that she hadn’t caused significant damage to her sight.

“Every time Teresa was blinking these bumps were rubbing on the surface of the eye and they pose a risk to her vision,” she said.

“She has suffered permanent scarring on her eyelid and the surface of her cornea. The symptoms are like somebody throwing a handful of sand in your eye, it’s constantly irritating.”

If you find yourself making excuses for not taking your makeup off, let this story be a warning!

Find an extra five minutes, grab a makeup wipe at the very least, and save yourself the horror of permanent damage.

Are you guilty of sleeping in your makeup? Tell us in the comments!

64 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 13 Apr 2023
    10:54 am
I have always been someone who removes all makeup at the end of the day…no matter what. And if I am sick and not wearing makeup I will still make the effort to get out of bed to cleanse my skin in the morning and again at night.

- - mom101628 said
  - 26 Sep 2020
    11:57 pm
Goodness, how lucky. Must admit I only wear make-up occasionally these days, but I will definitely make sure its removed before bed time. Good warning to all.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 31 Aug 2020
    9:15 pm
I find that wearing make-up is uncomfortable and I love the feeling of removing it.

- - mom321515 said
  - 20 Aug 2020
    9:19 pm
Wow! I must admit I have gone to bed with make up on but I don’t wear it every day or a lot. Will definitely be taking it off now without a doubt!

- - shanika said
  - 20 Aug 2020
    10:41 am
This is so hard.I never sleep with makeup on my face.I really need fresh face to jump on my bed.

- - rovermum said
  - 19 Aug 2020
    11:02 am
OMG! I cannot believe this. She is so lucky that after 25 years she still has her sight. I always wash off my make-up. Even if it’s so late and I’m so tired, and can’t be bothered. Admittedly, mascara is very hard to get off, but I often leave my eyes sore trying to get it off.

- - tessie said
  - 18 Aug 2020
    3:42 pm
I used to wear make-up a lot but always washed it off before going to bed. The times I didn’t then I’d do it first thing in the morning. I haven’t worn make-up now for over 20 years.

- - mom109199 said
  - 18 Aug 2020
    2:18 pm
Ewww. How on earth do you not remove makeup for 25 years? I wear makeup, including mascara, most days for the better part of 40 years and I have never gone to bed without removing the makeup and cleansing and moisturising my skin. To me it is basic hygiene. She is lucky she isn’t blind.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 18 Aug 2020
    9:01 am
Wow she must have really worn a lot and everyday for this to happen! I confess I don’t always remove but I only use a little once a week.

- - mom348878 said
  - 18 Aug 2020
    3:04 am
I’m very glad I just choose not to wear makeup at all, I have only had makeup on about 3 times in the past 15 years. Hope she’s ok.

- - mom461384 said
  - 17 Aug 2020
    11:09 pm
Seeing things like this make me glad that I don’t wear makeup often anymore! Looks very painful ????

- - mom80165 said
  - 17 Aug 2020
    10:43 pm
It is a bit scary seeing the result of not removing the mascara.

- - nadine_hill said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    8:44 pm
I have never been to bed without removing my makeup first … can’t seriously believe anyone wouldn’t!

- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    12:52 pm
It says there was 25 years worth of mascara build up. So in 25 years she had time to keep applying it but never a moment to remove it? As someone who doesn’t wear any make up I’m not sure how to remove mascara but I assume that it’s quick and easy

- - Jess said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    11:34 am
Honestly who doesn’t remove their make up… there is always time.
- Ellen replied
  
  14 Aug 2020 , 7:50 am
  When there is time to apply it, there is time to remove it me thinks !
- - mom90758 said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    10:54 am
Quite weird that someone did that!

- - Mummyofone77 said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    6:09 am
Should not have read this whilst eating my breakfast. The poor thing , a tough way to learn a lesson

- - Ellen said
  - 13 Aug 2020
    4:18 am
I remember the time I wore make up and when you come home late after a night shift and still have to remove your make up and all you want to do is go to bed… Hence my decision to never wear make up again, which was absolutely freeing at multiple levels !

- - mom265671 said
  - 12 Aug 2020
    11:50 pm
I’ve read this story before, absolutely scary!!

- - Frankiielot said
  - 12 Aug 2020
    8:25 pm
oh my gosh, this is so scary!
I hate taking eye makeup of because your eye area is so gentle but will definitely need to make sure I’ve gotten every little bit off my eyes now.