In an ironic twist, a medication for glaucoma will soon be prescribed to patients without glaucoma because of one of its unique side effects - longer, thicker eyelashes. During the past decade a new type of eye drop medication called a prostaglandin analog has come into use and rapidly become the first line of defense for treating glaucoma, a progressive eye disease that initially causes loss of peripheral vision and eventually blindness. As with every medication there are side effects to consider. The primary side effects of prostaglandin analogs are increased ocular redness, allergic reaction, a change in the color of the iris, and longer, thicker eyelashes. I have often joked with my patients that this last side effect is reason enough to take the medication. Apparently one pharmaceutical company agrees.
Allergan recently announced it has received approval by the FDA for a new prescription medication called Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% to be used in the treatment of hypotrichosis, which simply means having too few eyelashes. This medication has the exact same active ingredient and concentration as Allergan's glaucoma eye drop Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, but will be applied in a different way. Latisse is the first treatment ever approved by the FDA that has been clinically proven to increase the length, thickness, and darkness of eyelashes.
Latisse will be applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use applicator each night after the face has been cleaned and makeup removed. According to the Latisse website, users of Latisse can expect to experience longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes in as little as four weeks and full results in 16 weeks. After full results have been achieved users will have to continue a daily application of Latisse or else experience a gradual return to a pre-treatment state over a period of weeks or months.
The goal of most glaucoma medications is to lower intraocular pressure, which in turn slows glaucoma progression. Ironically the label on Latisse will include lower intraocular pressure as a side effect, while the label on Lumigan lists "growth of eyelashes" as a side effect. The good news is that in healthy eyes lower intraocular pressure is preferable to higher intraocular pressure and use of the Latisse product could theoretically reduce a person's risk for glaucoma damage, though it will certainly not be recommended or prescribed for that purpose. The most common side effects after using Latisse are itching or redness in the eyes, which was reported in approximately 4% of patients. Other side effects may include darkening of the skin where Latisse is applied or possibly permanent darkening of the iris in the eye, though the latter did not occur during trials.
Although the medical diagnosis in which Latisse is being recommended is "hypotrichosis," you can bet that the primary use will be purely cosmetic and heavily marketed to women. According to the Latisse website this product does not replace mascara, but the two will serve to complement one another.
This product should launched nationwide during the first quarter of 2009. If you want more information about Latisse you should speak with your family Eye Doctor. More information about Latisse can be found at www.latisse.com. - 15252
Allergan recently announced it has received approval by the FDA for a new prescription medication called Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% to be used in the treatment of hypotrichosis, which simply means having too few eyelashes. This medication has the exact same active ingredient and concentration as Allergan's glaucoma eye drop Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, but will be applied in a different way. Latisse is the first treatment ever approved by the FDA that has been clinically proven to increase the length, thickness, and darkness of eyelashes.
Latisse will be applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use applicator each night after the face has been cleaned and makeup removed. According to the Latisse website, users of Latisse can expect to experience longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes in as little as four weeks and full results in 16 weeks. After full results have been achieved users will have to continue a daily application of Latisse or else experience a gradual return to a pre-treatment state over a period of weeks or months.
The goal of most glaucoma medications is to lower intraocular pressure, which in turn slows glaucoma progression. Ironically the label on Latisse will include lower intraocular pressure as a side effect, while the label on Lumigan lists "growth of eyelashes" as a side effect. The good news is that in healthy eyes lower intraocular pressure is preferable to higher intraocular pressure and use of the Latisse product could theoretically reduce a person's risk for glaucoma damage, though it will certainly not be recommended or prescribed for that purpose. The most common side effects after using Latisse are itching or redness in the eyes, which was reported in approximately 4% of patients. Other side effects may include darkening of the skin where Latisse is applied or possibly permanent darkening of the iris in the eye, though the latter did not occur during trials.
Although the medical diagnosis in which Latisse is being recommended is "hypotrichosis," you can bet that the primary use will be purely cosmetic and heavily marketed to women. According to the Latisse website this product does not replace mascara, but the two will serve to complement one another.
This product should launched nationwide during the first quarter of 2009. If you want more information about Latisse you should speak with your family Eye Doctor. More information about Latisse can be found at www.latisse.com. - 15252
About the Author:
Dr. Eric Stamper O.D. is a Nashville, Tennessee Optometrist and owns Visionary Eyecare Center. Dr. Eric Stamper received his optometry degree in May of 2007 from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where he graduated with honors in the top 10 percent of his class.
