The skin around the eyes is a hotspot for wrinkles and fine lines which are a clear sign of ageing.
But when it comes to the eyes themselves, there are more subtle changes that can give the illusion that someone may be older than they are.
According to Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and founder of Peep Club, a common one that’s overlooked by many people is a multifactorial disease known as dry eye.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, she said: “Dry Eye Disease is defined as a multifactorial disease of the surface of the eye and occurs when the tear film of the eye loses its natural balance or isn’t being produced enough to moisturise the eyes. Your eyes will be red, itchy, blurred and sore and may feel gritty.
“The most common causes of Dry Eye Disease are, age, hormonal changes; especially around peri-menopause or menopause, underlying autoimmune diseases and a whole host of lifestyle factors.”
Another common trigger of this ageing disease is the use of retinoids – which are widely used to reverse fine lines and wrinkles.
Nicola explained: “Recent research has found that topical retinoids used close to the eyes, for example in eye creams, can contribute to dry eyes by damaging the Meibomian Glands.
“Dry eyes can make you look older for a few reasons. Because dry eyes disrupt the front surface of the eye it causes distortions in the Purkinje images (which is how flight reflects off our eyes).
“These reflections are subtle cues as to our age – for example, children have very sparkling eyes, that appearance of sparkle is due to the perfect purkinje images reflecting the light through a perfect ocular surface.”
The optometrist continued: “It’s this distortion of the Purkinje images which tends to age the appearance. In addition to this, dry eyes are most commonly associated with redness of the whites of the eyes – again white bright eyes tend to be associated with youth or being well-rested.
“Finally, dry eyes commonly cause heavy eyelids or the eyelids to droop, giving the appearance of smaller eyes. One thing we hear often from those with dry eyes is that because watering eyes is a symptom of dry eyes (as your eyes go into overdrive to try to rebalance the tear film) it can often make them appear to be crying or to be sad.”
While the symptoms of this disease are less than favourable for those with a mature complexion, some remedies can be used to treat it.
According to Nicola, many of these come down to skincare habits like not washing the face too much, and avoiding harsh or stripping eye makeup removers. This includes using wipes and strong cleansers around the eye area.
Ditching loose makeup powders and setting spray around the eyes is another foolproof way to reduce the effects of the disease. The optometrist added: “In terms of your house or workplace, try to steer clear from sitting next to or under air conditioning or heaters which wick away the tears quicker.
“Finally, make sure to stay well hydrated throughout the day, keep up with Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet and try to incorporate anti- inflammatory foods like leafy greens.”
For a quick fix, the Peep Club Eye Rescue Lidstick can be used to relieve irritation and itchiness in just one use according to some customers.
Nicola said: “The beauty of the lidstick is that you only need a tiny amount for it to work – one swipe is more than enough. But of course, as with all skincare products – consistency is key for good results – we recommend using it as the last step in your skincare routine every night.”
