Bimatoprost

Key facts

• Bimatoprost (sold as Lumigan eye drops for glaucoma and Latisse or Careprost for eyelash growth) is a prostaglandin analogue that increases fluid drainage from the eye and prolongs the growth phase of eyelash hairs.
• For glaucoma it's used as a once-daily eye drop; for lash growth it's brushed along the upper lash line at night with the applicator provided, not dropped into the eye.
• It can permanently darken the iris, turning blue or green eyes browner, and darken the skin around the eyes; this change is irreversible and more likely with prolonged use.
• Seek urgent care for sudden eye pain, a sudden change in vision, or signs of eye infection such as discharge or worsening redness.

What bimatoprost treats

Bimatoprost treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, conditions where pressure inside the eye is raised and can damage the optic nerve and vision over time. A lower-strength version is used cosmetically for hypotrichosis, eyelashes that are too few, short or pale. It is not a treatment for eye infections or general eye irritation.

How bimatoprost works

Bimatoprost mimics natural prostaglandins and acts on receptors in the eye's drainage pathway, increasing outflow of the fluid that maintains eye pressure, which lowers that pressure. Applied at the lash line, the same signalling extends the growth phase of the hair cycle in eyelash follicles, so more lashes grow for longer and become thicker.

Before you take it

• Tell your prescriber if you have a history of eye inflammation, eye infection, or eye surgery, since bimatoprost can worsen these.
• Remove contact lenses before applying a dose and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
• If you use other eye drops, space them at least five minutes apart from bimatoprost.
• Discuss any known sensitivity to prostaglandins with your prescriber before starting.

Side effects

Common effects include eye redness, itching, and dryness, and darkening of the skin around the eye.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

• Sudden eye pain or a marked change in vision.
• Increasing redness, discharge or swelling that worsens instead of improving.
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as widespread rash or facial swelling.

Safety essentials

• Iris darkening from bimatoprost is permanent and can leave eyes an uneven colour if only one eye is treated; tell your prescriber if you notice this so they can weigh up continuing treatment.
• Use it exactly as directed for your product: glaucoma drops go into the eye, lash-growth solution goes along the lash line with a clean applicator, and any excess should be blotted, not left to run into the eye.
• Do not use it more often than prescribed; extra applications do not improve results and increase side effects.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.