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If Latisse Gets in Your Eyes Can It Cause Damage?

If you are wearing Latisse on your eyelashes and it gets in your eyes, like by rubbing your eyes or something, would it do any harm to your eyes or your vision?  I know it just got approved, but does anybody know? Thx.

Sort 22 expert answers by:
+3

If used properly, Latisse is extremely safe

Hi there- Latisse should not cause harm to your eyes or your vision if you were to get the solution in your eye. It is unlikely, if applied properly, that Latisse will get in your eye since you only have to apply a small amount to the lash line for the product to be effective. It is normal to have some mild itching and redness during the first few days after you start using Latisse. There are also less common side effects that include darkening or redness of the eyelid and increased brown... more
Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+3

Latisse is not harmful for your eyes

Latisse is meant to be applied on the top eyelid at the base of your lashes. However, if it gets inside your eyes does not cause any damage or infection to the eyes. Latisse is safe even for people with contact lenses or sensitive eyes. Some of the Latisse side effects include redness, itching and darkening of the eyelid which is reversible once you stop using the product. There are medical conditions that can be worsened by the Latisse product, so please consult your doctor
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3

A little Latisse in the eye will not be harmful

A small amount of Latisse (bimatoprost 0.3% ophthalmic solution) in the eye will not cause problems. Larger doses over time may cause darkening of the iris (the colored portion of your eye) and a decrease in your eye pressure. This will not happen if you are using Latisse as directed. When in doubt, it is a good idea to consult with an oculoplastic surgeon. Oculoplastic (or sometimes called ophthalmic plastic) surgeons are board certified in ophthalmology and also have advanced training in... more
Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon
+3

Latisse

Latisse is a new FDA approved medication for the indication of making eyelashes longer, thicker and darker. Latisse contains the same active ingredient as another Allergan product, Lumigan, eyedrops that are designed to be dropped directly into the eyes. The most common side effects after using LATISSE are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. Latisse is designed to be used on the upper lashes only. if excess solution spreads beyond the lash line, hair growth may occur... more
Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
+3

Getting Latisse In Your Eyes

Corneal exposure was one of the things looked at in the FDA study and it was found that it may cause some irritation. The product safety sheet includes the following information: Do not use LATISSE™ solution if you are allergic to one of its ingredients. LATISSE™ solution is intended for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. DO NOT APPLY to the lower eyelid. If you have a history of abnormal intraocular pressure, you should only use... more
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

What if Latisse Gets In Your Eye

Latisse is nothing more than Bimatoprost, a medication that has been used to treat glaucoma for many years. Ophthalmologists, especially glaucoma specialists like myself, noticed that our glaucoma patients had really nice, long lashes while using a prostaglandin (the class of medication Latisse/Lumigan belongs to..others in the U.S. include xalatan and travatan). Sales reps would hear comments about this "appreciated" side effect and the company's executives decided to seek... more
Relief Jones, III, MD
San Antonio Ophthalmologist
+2

Latisse in the eye? Not a problem

Latisse is actually the same medication as is used for glaucoma - which is placed in the eye. Initially you could get a little irritation, but no damage. Latisse was "discovered" because the side effects of the glaucoma medication were longer and thicker eyelashes! But do follow the directions. In some patients, the iris can become darker colored if the medication is used in the eye (not seen in the studies for eyelash).
Nasrin Mani, MD
La Jolla Ophthalmologist
+2

If Latisse gets in your eyes

According to Allergan's website, LATISSE™ solution is an ophthalmic drug product. If any gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. The eye should not be rinsed. However, LATISSE™ solution is intended for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. Do not apply it to the lower eyelid. If you have a history of abnormal Intra-ocular pressure, you should only use LATISSE™ under the close supervision of your physician.
Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Directions for the use of Latisse Eyelash Developer: Instructions for Latisse

Latisse is a new medication for use on the upper eyelashes. It promises to be an effective treatment for eyelash enhancement: The 5 steps recommended for Latisse use as follows: Latisse instructions: Step 1 for Latisse application: Before application, remove all creams and wash face. Remove contacts from the eyes. Step 2: Prepare the Latisse Applicator: Place one drop of Latisse onto the applicator, but not on the Latisse applicator tip. Step 3: Apply to skin using the Latisse... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Latisse damage to eyes

It will cause a drop in your eye pressure, as it's a rebranded glaucoma drop (Lumigan), but this is not harmful, as too low eye pressure is a good thing, and protective against glaucoma (like too low blood pressure means you won't ever get hypertension)
Emil Chynn, MD
New York Ophthalmologist
+1

Latisse is safe for your eyes

Over 2 million prescriptions for Latisse have been filled and there have been no problems from Latisse getting into the eye. The eye is exposed to a very small amount of Latisse even when it is properly applied as directed to the upper eyelid margin using the supplied applicator. This has been demonstrated by applying a colored dye to the eyelid margin and watching its migration. Side effects from the initial studies showed less than 4 percent of people experienced redness, irritation and... more
Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Latisse will not cause damage in the eye

Latisse has the same medication as one used for glaucoma. It will not cause damage if a little gets into the eye. That being said, the only instances of eye color change occurred in glaucoma patients using it directly on the cornea (but over an extended period).  It should not cause any changes in vision.
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD
Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not a problem if Latisse gets into your eyes

Latisse (bimatoprost) is the same medication that is used for glaucoma treatment that is placed in the eye, so if it accidentally gets into the eye, it is not a problem. However, Latisse is not designed or intended to be placed in the eye or applied to lower lashes.  It should only be topically applied with the included applicator to the upper eyelid right above the eyelashes. Iris pigmentation changes have occured with bimatoprost being used regularly inside the eye,... more
Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

No problems according to the product rep

According to the company representative for Latisse, the only documented occurrence of change in pigment in the iris has occurred with Lumigen (the generic form of Latisse) in a very few blue-eyed glaucoma patients who were placing the product directly on their eye. As mentioned above, if placed on the eye, you may also see changes in your eye pressures, but this shouldn't be an issue unless you are already being treated for glaucoma. With proper application on the eyelashes,... more
Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Latisse in eyes

You should be checked for any problems with intraocular pressure in your eyes before getting a rx for Latisse. If the solution gets in your eyes and you have been checked and cleared for having any eye pressure problems- then you should be fine. Very little should get in your eyes given the amount that can drip from the application brush.
Purvisha Patel, MD
Germantown Dermatologist
+1

Latisse and Eye Irritation

If used properly there should really be no side effects. I have seen some cases of burning or irritation of the eye, but I have typically concluded that the patient is using too much of the product. Since Latisse is a variation of a glaucoma drug used in much higher amounts over years of time, the FDA warns that Latisse might cause darkening of  the skin pigment around the eye or darkening of the iris color in blue or green eyes. Neither of these has ever been see with... more
Anthony J. Kameen, MD
Baltimore Ophthalmologist
+1

Latisse in the eyes may cause some irritation.

Latisse is the same medication which is in Lumigan eye drops used for glaucoma. It can cause some irritation, but in general is safe. It should be applied in the area for hair growth, along the upper eyelash line and the excess wiped away. Remember to remove your contact lenses as well, and leave them out for 15 minutes. I hope this helps.
Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Latisse exposure to the eyes

You do not need to worry about getting Latisse in the eyes. In fact, Latisse is the exact same formulation as Allergans glaucoma drops but in a diluted form. If you read the product inserts of both medications you will find that it reads the same. Worse case scenario is that you may get some eye irritation or change in color. Many of my patients and all of my staff use Latisse and are very happy with the results.
Lee Robinson, MD
Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Latisse safety

Latisse is the same eyedrop that has been used in the eye as a treatment for glaucoma. You should use Latisse under the care of an eyeMD who can monitor your eye for potential side effects such as color changes to the iris, swelling in the area of finest acuity or pigmentation on the skin. If used according to the instructions, one can minimize these side effects. Additionally, eyelash growth can be observed in as little as four weeks.
Sandy Feldman, MD
San Diego Ophthalmologist
+1

Latisse Is Safe, However Side Effects Can Occur

Latisse that gets into the eyes is not usually considered harmful. In the original FDA studies, some of the Latisse that was applied to the eyelashes reached the corneas (estimated less than 5% of a direct application). This did not lead to safety issues in the original studies. For years, and currently to those suffering from glaucoma, Bimatoprost 0.03% (another name for Latisse in a direct ocular formulation) is placed directly onto the globe. Latisse and Bimatoprost 0.03% are... more
Keith Denkler, MD
Marin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Latisse should not damage your eyes

Latisse is the exact same medication as Lumigan, which is a glaucoma medication, and in the same strength and formulation. Although it is best not to get Latisse into your eye, and there is the theoretical possibility that it can interfere with glaucoma treatment in patients with glaucoma, it should not harm your eyes. If you get very much of it in your eye and you have light or hazel colored eyes it could permanently darken your eyes. It can also darken the skin around the eyes. If... more
Jon Dishler, MD
Denver Ophthalmologist
+1

Latisse in the eye

Remember that this product was originally used in the eye to treat glaucoma in one of the side effects that they found was lengthening of the eyelashes. Importantly, the side effects of redness and darkening that are seen on the skin can also be seen on the eye itself if directly applied to the eye and can be problematic for patients. In addition, because it was designed to lower the pressure in the eye certain patients may experience complications and it is important that you use the... more
Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist
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