Hi Ducktape, most people who are using latisse are unaware of its side effects. The truth is no medication is without its side effects, it is up to us to inform you and you to decide if the risk and benefits are worth the undertaking. In 2004 two optometrists reported that patients taking glaucoma eyedrops were noted to have hollow sunken eyes. Then in 2008 Louis Pasquale, MD, chief of glaucoma services at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary observed this problem as a side effect of bimatoprost which was a medication prescribed for high eye pressures. It was noted that the eye lashes in these patients were getting longer (this is the same drug in latisse) Since then there have been numerous publications about the effect of latisse on the fat and skin around the eye, with more and more reports of hollowness, thinning and sunkeness. They did however get long lashes and darker colored skin. The term periorbital fat atrophy (PAP) is now used to describe the effect of these medications. I encourage you to look this up and discuss it with your specialist before you undergo any treatment. It is easy to fill the hollowness with soft tissue fillers, but not many people are willing to undergo repeat fillers etc. Remember, there are many thousands of people who have tried the medications who have not had any notable issues, but that doesn't mean that it is without its side effects. Awareness is key here. Hope this helps, Abdulla Fakhro MD
Dear Ducktape,Latisse can cause darkening or an allergic reaction in the skin around the eyes but not usually thinning. There have been some studies that have shown loss of fat in the area around the eye with use of the same medication in eye drop form so it is best to apply Latisse only to the eyelashes and try to minimize its contact with the surrounding skin.Best,Dr. Liu
