Taking a prescription drug for a cosmetic side effect — at the risk of other side effects — may seem risky. But it’s a risk that many Americans, mostly women, have shown themselves happy to take.

Latisse, originally a glaucoma drug marketed under the name Lumigan, was approved separately at the end of last year for its
eyelash-enhancing purposes, and its maker, Allergan, has reported sales of $47.7 million thus far. The company says 2009 sales could reach $70 million, exceeding projections of $30 million to $50 million. The national advertising campaign featuring model and actress Brooke Shields hasn’t hurt.

The success of Latisse, however, concerns some ophthalmologists –
albeit medically conservative ones, who say it’s important to see an
eye doctor before taking any eye medication, especially if you’ve never
had a full eye exam. As increasing numbers of dermatologists, plastic
surgeons and medical-spa physicians prescribe the drug, the desire for
pretty eyelashes seems to be taking precedence over eye health, they
say.

Besides stimulating lash growth, the drug can cause eye redness,
itchiness, irritation, infection, darkening of the skin around the
application area. It may even cause a change in eye color, especially
in people who have any amount of brown pigment in their eyes.

“As it is, most Americans don’t get basic routine eye exams, and it’s
really important that people get a baseline eye exam before they
consider using a drug like Latisse,” says Andrew Iwach, the executive
director of the Glaucoma Center in San Francisco and a spokesman for
the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The eyes are a delicate tissue.
And if someone is thinking about Latisse, they need to see if there are
any contraindications or underlying problems they aren’t aware of.”

Such contraindications, or conditions precluding the use of the drug,
include pregnancy, breast feeding, cataract surgery and ocular
inflammation. “Use Latisse as an opportunity to look good but to see
well too,” Iwach said.

There simply is no long-term data on Latisse, he points out. The
original version, Lumigan, wasn’t even approved for glaucoma until
2001. “We have data for using this type of medication as an eye drop,”
he said. “But we don’t know if this will have a cumulative risk with
topical application over time.”

To many, the gamble is a small one — and well worth taking. 

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