Palpebral conjunctival pigmentation due to cosmetics was first described by Reese in 1947. He reported a subconjunctival pigmentation under the upper and lower lids with associated mild follicular conjunctivitis. Although he did not prove a causal link between cosmetics and conjunctival pigmentation, Reese theorised that the carbon-black in mascara was the source of the pigmentation.

A 45-year old woman, who had worn rigid lenses for 20 years, presented with lens-related discomfort and poor near vision. Along the length of the superior border of the tarsal plate, there was a narrow band of pigmented dots and clumps. The pigmentation was visible to the same extent in both eyes. No pigmentation was observed on the bulbar conjunctiva. The lashes bore a moderate application of mascara.

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