Eyelash extensions are a booming beauty trend, but a new study out of Ukraine is raising some serious eye health concerns. Presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting, research from National Pirogov Memorial Medical University found that a striking 96% of women who regularly wore lash extensions tested positive for Demodex folliculorum mite infestation, compared to a control group of women who had never had extensions.

The culprit? Likely poor eyelid hygiene. Women who get lash extensions are typically advised not to wash their eyelids to keep the extensions intact — creating the perfect environment for Demodex mites to thrive. Adhesives, prolonged wear, and disrupted meibomian gland function further compound the risk. Alarmingly, many cases were asymptomatic, making the condition easy to miss.

Key Takeaways:

• Demodex infestation is often asymptomatic in lash extension users, making routine screening important
• In 85% of women who had the procedure more than 10 times, meibography revealed meibomian gland changes
• Mites were even found living in the adhesive glue used to apply extensions
• Treatment includes tea tree oil wipes, eyelid tapping, and daily brushing with a clean spoolie and Blephagel for 4–6 months

Why it matters: As lash extensions become a routine cosmetic procedure — especially among young women — clinicians need to be aware of the ocular surface risks they carry. Proactive patient education on eyelid hygiene could prevent a largely underdiagnosed condition from quietly damaging eye health.