Latisse/Careprost Made my Eyes Sunken & Hollow (Periorbital Fat Atrophy)! - Los Angeles

MD here. There are many well-documented examples of iris hyperpigmentation following instillation of bimatoprost and other prostaglandin analogues. Prostaglandins increase melanosomes within the melanocytes, the mechanism of action which darkens lashes and eyelids, as well as the iris. The majority of clinical trials involve direct administration to the eye, which is not the method of administration for Latisse, meaning the incidence of adverse effects may be lower or slower; however, we know from the Latisse safety trials that bimatoprost does enter the eye even when applied to the margins, as measured by reduced intraocular pressure. A possible cofounder in the small Latisse adverse reaction study is that the relatively small cohort was comprised mainly of brown-eyed persons; when prostaglandin inhibitors have been studied in Nordic regions in persons with predominantly blue eyes, the rates of iris hyperpigmentation have been much higher. In 2009, the FDA forced Allergan to insert a warning in the patient insert regarding iris and lid hyperpigmentation. I am behind a university paywall, so I'm not sure if you can access all of these articles with photographs: [seriously? No links allowed? Readers, search Medsearch or Google for "prostaglandin iris" and "bimatoprost iris" (remove quotes)] There is little incentive for anyone to launch a post-marketing clinical trial for Latisse, as the adverse effects are already so well known and documented by Allergan in the package insert. Be cautious not to discount post-marketing data. After all, Vioxx and Avandia passed FDA trials with flying colors, and the heart attacks came only after millions of patients were exposed over time. Be cautious, folks, you only have one body. Best wishes, S. Wasserman, MPH, MD

Hello Alias, sorry if that was more information than you needed. It was originally written for a person who was casting doubt on the adverse reactions. S. Wasserman

Actually, your information is most interesting and appreciated. I am no MD, but have a rudimentary understanding of bio and I am wondering if you can PM me with links/study names? I am just now hearing people report eye pain, and I am getting some intermittent, sharp pains in my eyes. I am currently using CareProst after a 4-year break from using it. However, I was getting some of this eye pain (though not to this degree) before i restarted the product. I have been reading that this eye pain is a common symptom of MS, and other common medical conditions. My problem is that no one ever DESCRIBES the eye pain believed to be associated with Latisse/careprost. Sharp, occasional pains like mine? Different? This makes it hard to know if there are other conditions being blamed on the meds. Re: the color change, recently I have been reading reports and also comments from doctors on this site, that the color change only occurs with GREEN eyes, or hazel/green eyes, and that true blue-eyed people do not get color change. The testing in Nordic regions would seem to dispute that, though. I do appreciate the detail, but there has been some bad info passed around here so I would be grateful if you would site some specific (and at least some of then recent) studies regarding color change, peri-orbital fat loss, and other symptoms associated with thse products. I am near a major university and I can access the science libraries there. I would be most grateful if you could PM links and other info. Alias

I was foolish to risk trying it. I pray that Allergan scientists can work kn a product to reverse the iris darkening.

Hi Alias, I did not experience and did not post about color change - only periorbital fat loss. O necan't post links on this site, but if you Google the article by Dr. Stanley Berke, in the Journal of Ophthalmology, "PAP: New Concerns for Prostaglandin Use" --the article details how Bimataprost – the active ingredient in Lumigan, Latisse, and Careprost -- causes periorbital fat atrophy (PAP). And Swasserman, who commented above, explains how you can find medical studies re: color change. Best of luck.

If they did, would you trust the product not to cause some other problem?

If they did, would you trust the product not to cause other problems? I think the problem is that since the FDA has been basically bought out, there's no longer anyone regulating Big Pharma...

Wow, thanks, ThatCat... it's true that it was a bit like a "mini-lift"...

Mascara should be fine for these issues.

Hi Mackenzie, I realize your post is quite old, but wondering if you can give an update. Did your fat return? Going thru Latisse hell with sunken eyes right now and so sad. . . - Tiff

Thanks for these remarks. Do you have any pictures? Also, can you explain what "ptosis" is?I am not familiar with that term. Thanks.

Thanks for posting. Can you tell me what "Ptosis" repair is? Also, when you say, "even after many years," can you be specific as to how many years, exactly, it was since you stopped using the product? Thanks, Alias

I has eye colour change. It's mixed coloured eyes that are at risk. I found this - Darkening of iris color may occur in some eyes over several months or more due to an increase in the production of melanin in the melanocytes of the iris. Pure brown eyes and pure blue eyes are not affected. Mixed colored eyes, i.e. blue-brown, yellow-brown, grey-brown, green-brown, hazel eyes are. Typically the brown pigmentation around the pupil spreads concentrically towards the periphery in the affected eyes, but the entire iris or parts of it may become more brownish. Eyelash changes (increased length, thickness, pigmentation, and number of lashes) are typical and regarded as a benefit by most patients. Reversible darkening of the eyelid skin darkening may also occur.

Yes, I have pictures and will try to put up a review for my surgery in the next day or so.

Thanks for posting. How long did you use Latisse? and how long did it take to go back to normal?

The red purple around on the lash line slowly settled and was completely gone in about ten weeks. My eyes still seem slightly sunken. The iris darkening has stayed the same and it's been ten months since I stopped using it. I only used a tiny drop applied with a small brush along the lash line only for approximately six weeks.

Eef - Thanks for posting. How long did you use Latisse? and how long did it take to go back to normal?

Hi Carrie, yes, it seems to be reversing for me... and the doctor I mentioned above in my review also said that he's seen it reverse many times when it's only been used a short time... I'm sure yours will reverse since you only used it for 2 days...

Hi Carrie from my research, it should reverse and heal in time. I had the misfortune of the eye colour change for the worse. I only used 2 times per week for 6 weeks. I had purple red on the lash line that took about 3 and half months to clear. I notice some eye sinking. I'm feeling hopeful mine my fat loss may recover in time. As for my eyes, there is maybe a glimmer of hope that they may fade back in years to come but not likely. If I had if read about the orbital fat loss and eyes sinking fat loss I would not have tried it. I think many latisse users will eventually get the sunken eyes and it's quite aging.

Thank you! I called the doctor who prescribed it and he refused to believe it and deemed it an "allergic reaction"; he told me to stop using for 10 days and then resume. I dropped it in the trash. I'm out a hundred bucks, but at least I didn't get too far into it before I noticed. It was really the fact that it happened only in my left eye that alerted me. If it had happened in both eyes evenly it might have gone undetected. Thank god I googled it and found the article and your post.

I agree, I think you will recover... mine are almost back to normal... I almost want to do an experiment where I use it for a few days and see if it comes back that quickly... but I think I won't!

No I would advise not to mess with Latisse. It changed my eye colour with mini normal use in short time.

Thank you luci67 and Blossoms. For sharing your stories and for your support :)

Hi Carrie M. Please stop using it immediately. This would be from Latisse. It will recover though.

Carrie, thank god you trashed it. I can't believe the Doctor was encouraging you to keep using it.

I am reading about Silikon 1000, which might be able to replace the fat loss, but my, this news is distressing. If you are willing, I am interested to see before and after pictures of the eyes. I hope everything reverses in your case, and the color too.

I gosh, I would steer clear of that! I am pretty sure that injecting silicon-based fillers is not FDA approved -- some cosmetic surgeons might do it off-label but I've heard horror stories about that stuff migrating to other areas and causing real problems (isn't that what happened to Priscilla Presley?)... I believe the only things approved are collagen-based fillers, because they are made of the same molecules that are naturally in your skin... the downside is that they get reabsorbed eventually but at least you don't risk disfigurement... like I said, mine is nearly back to normal... the before and after pictures are in my post above...

Actually, it IS FDA approved. There were studies going on in the early 90's i think. (Nancy Reagan had a face full of it) in NY. Now this new stuff is being used but by very few doctors. I do not know much about it. Collagen is not being used much these days, because some people have an allergic reaction since it is an animal-based product. Juverderm and that kind of thing are NOT animal based, and that's what is mostly being used. Plus, it gets such a nice result. You are right though, that silicone is permanent, which means if you dont like it you are stuck with it...

No, Silikon 1000 is not FDA approved for cosmetic use... It is FDA approved for retinal detachment. This is from a cosmetic surgery website but you can research it yourself: "Although it is FDA approved for treatments related to retinal detachment, Silikon 1000 is not FDA approved for cosmetic use. However, the modernization act of 1997 allows licensed physicians to administer medical agents for off-label purposes." "Off-label" means you are really taking a huge risk because the studies have not been done to prove that it is safe. There are risks with any cosmetic procedure, even those are ARE FDA-approved (as we can see with Latisse) but there are way more horror stories with off-label use. Yes, you can find a "cosmetic surgeon" willing to put this stuff in your face, but that doesn't mean it is safe. Do yourself a favor and research this first. Google"Silikon 1000" and "disfigurement" "Is Silikon 1000 safe?" This is a doctor's reply to that question on the RealSelf site: "Silicone, if free in the body, is a very reactive substance. This inflammatory reaction takes many years to develop in many patients, but is progressive (doesn't get better) and severe It is often severely disfiguring."

Thanks for the clarification. I see that you are correct, the cosmetic use is "Off-Label." I am leery of anything that is not reversible, but it is tempting to find a permanent product since the prices for this stuff is getting crazy and I have gone without for years now.

Hi LMS I think you will recover. L there are medical studies that resulted in people recovering from the peri orbital fat loss. I did the same as you. Had major laser damage to my skin, felt do bad looking at my skin wreck I got lash extensions to feel better. Than I couldn't have them anymore - time and expense. Then I got latisse to fix lash damage, as felt so bad. Then I got iris eye colour change and it's likely to be permanent. Yours will heal in time

Please try increasing your healthy oils like fish oil, avocado, flaxseed and virgin olive oil.

I really hope so. It's been getting me so depressed that I don't even look normal on top of my skin being really messed up. I'm sorry to hear about ur eyes and skin as well and thank you for getting back to me.

Also, yours still has not improved after 6 weeks of use? That is so scary. I noticed my eyes sagging about 2 months ago and stupidly kept using the damn product. I am now almost 5 months out form using it. I was hopeful but hearing that you still have not seen a change in the fatloss after all of this time after just 6 weeks of using it sparingly makes me nervous.

You have beautiful eyes, I hope that you recover from the damage. Can you tell me if you were using just a tiny bot of product on the lash lineonly, or were you putting it into the eye?

I used the tiniest drop. I would drop it into the cap and then dip it into an eyeliner brush. I then applied it to the lash line only, as per latisse instructions. I only used it 2 - 3 times per week for about 7 weeks. It was never out in my eye. An Opthamologist told me that whatever you put around your eye and eyelid will actually also get into your eyes. Latisse should really start working in a product to reverse these permanent and long term side effects, especially the eye colour change and the fat loss

I only used it on the lash line as well. But note that the doctor whose study I cite above notes that even so the product will inevitably get in the eye (I suppose by dripping, migrating, and being absorbed through the lid)... But mine are now almost reversed... it did take more than a month...