As ophthalmologists, we’re taught to advise patients with dry or sensitive eyes to avoid cosmetics – no mascara, no eyeliner, no removers that might sting the eyes. It’s sensible advice from a medical standpoint, but it never sat well with me. I love ophthalmology, and I also love makeup. Telling people to simply “stop wearing cosmetics” felt out of touch with real life.
Our primary aim in offering this advice is to safeguard the delicate ocular surface and prevent the worsening of conditions such as blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and tear film instability. Yet our understanding of how cosmetics interact with the tear film remains incomplete. As a result, our guidance has often been blunt or even avoidant, reflecting a tendency within our specialty to focus so intently on disease that we overlook the human aspects of self-expression, identity, and confidence.
Let's be honest: most ophthalmologists are men, and for many, cosmetics have never been part of their personal experience. But for many others, makeup is more than just an aesthetic consideration; it is integral to feeling confident, professional, and prepared for the day ahead. As eye care professionals, when we dismiss the significance of cosmetics, we risk alienating the very individuals we strive to help.
This tension between medical caution and personal empathy inspired me to create OKKIYO, a beauty brand specifically designed for people with sensitive eyes. I wanted to recommend products that would not irritate my patients’ eyes, but finding such products and understanding the testing and intentions behind them proved challenging. Terms like “ophthalmologist approved,” “ophthalmologist tested,” and “hypoallergenic” all lack regulatory backing, and it is rare for cosmetic products to be genuinely evaluated on people with sensitive eyes. Therefore, I decided to build something from the ground up.
Collaborating with two groups of cosmetic chemists, I developed my first product and undertook extensive training in branding, marketing, and e-commerce. My goal was to create a product that performed as well as luxury brands, yet was gentle enough for sensitive eyes. We excluded ingredients known or suspected to dry the tear film or cause irritation, such as alcohol and certain preservatives, and incorporated nourishing elements like Australian Manuka honey. Every OKKIYO product is tested both in vitro and on people with sensitive eyes.
Ophthalmology and beauty are not opposing worlds; they are deeply interconnected. Dry eye and sensitivity affect millions, especially women, and yet solutions have often been incomplete. By combining clinical expertise with empathy and innovation, we can help people look and feel their best while supporting their eye health.
Renowned Australian ophthalmologist, Fred Hollows, once said that compassion is the basic attribute of a doctor. I believe this compassion should extend to recognizing how much confidence and sense of identity matter in our patients’ lives. Our role is not just to preserve sight, but to help people see themselves clearly, in every sense of the word.
One unexpected joy of creating a beauty brand has been the human connection it has brought into my professional life. As a surgical ophthalmologist, I do not primarily manage dry eye, but many of my patients experience it. Sharing quick, light conversations about makeup, often after consultations, has been heartwarming. Patients and their supporters sometimes quietly mention they are wearing my mascara, or ask questions about makeup they previously felt unable to voice. These moments are simple, yet profoundly human, and have drawn me closer to my patients in ways I never anticipated.
Another gift has been the support and camaraderie from colleagues; many ophthalmologists, especially women, were among my first customers. OKKIYO mascara became a holiday gift for many reception and clinical teams that first year. What began as a side project has grown into a bridge between ophthalmology, optometry, and our shared patient community, deepening my appreciation for optometrists, our main referrers in Australia, and expanding my professional network.
Working on the visual accessibility of my products has given me a much deeper appreciation for what it means to live with low vision. Through this process, I have met remarkable people, learned from their experiences, and collaborated with other brands to explore how accessibility can be built into beauty from the outset. Visiting Guide Dogs Australia and witnessing the community supports available was eye-opening, an experience many ophthalmologists never have. It has also inspired me to think more broadly about the causes OKKIYO can support. To date, one dollar from every sale has gone to The Fred Hollows Foundation to help improve eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
My hope is that ophthalmologists will embrace a broader view of care, one that goes beyond disease prevention to encompass quality of life, confidence, and inclusivity. By engaging with adjacent industries like cosmetics and design, we can redefine what “eye-safe” truly means. In doing so, we move from simply treating eyes to truly understanding people.
When we tell patients not to wear makeup, we are really telling them not to be themselves. I believe we can do better. For me, integrating eye health and beauty is not a contradiction; it is the natural evolution of compassionate care.
