One of the most popular medications used to treat glaucoma is now being studied as a baldness treatment.   Bimatoprost is the active ingredient in Lumigan by Allergan and has been an effective medication to lower eye pressure.  It has been a great medication to treat glaucoma with one strange side effect:  it causes eye lash hair darkening and growth.

It was subsequently marked by Allergan as Latisse to enchance the length and thickness of lashes and now is being looked at as a possible treatement for baldness. There already has been anecdotal evidence that it works, but Allergan recently completed a Phase II study comparing brimatoprost to minoxidil for male pattern baldness.  There is hope for the hair challenged.

By Dr. Cook, O.D.