What are the risks?
As with many other applications on the skin, you must expect some risks and side effects with eyelid tape. First of all, the tape can cause allergic reactions, for example, which express themselves in the form of itching, burning, redness and swelling. It is also possible that the skin under the tape will blister.
Because the tape is located in the immediate vicinity of the eye, there is a fundamental risk that a spreading reaction to the tape could also affect the eye itself, thereby damaging structures. This can lead to reduced visual acuity. Other risks of the tape for the eyelids arise mainly from incorrect or careless use.
For example, if the tape is applied unintentionally to hairy areas such as the eyebrows or eyelashes, these may be torn out when the tape is removed. At the very least, however, this will result in painful peeling of the tape. Also, if the tapes are applied in such a way that the eyelids are too tight, this can cause problems. Too tight taping can lead to the eye not being able to close the eye completely.As a result, the eye is not sufficiently supplied with the protective tear fluid, this can lead to damage to the cornea or conjunctiva and in the worst case, cause opacity in the eye, which in turn causes a deterioration in vision.
Costs
The cost of the tapes depends mainly on how many of the tapes you purchase. For example, ten packs of the tapes are available for five to twenty euros online or in drugstores. Since most of those affected tap both eyes, such a pack can usually be used for five days.
Within a month the costs amount so fast to 25 to 120 euro. Only rarely can the costs for the tapes be completely covered by health insurance. However, those who, for example, can show a clear medical indication for the use of the tapes (e.g. severe drying of the eyes without the taping) and cannot have alternative treatment methods such as a slip lid operation performed, have a chance of having the costs covered. However, this should be requested from the health insurance company at an early stage, as several attempts are often necessary before such a cost coverage is actually granted.
