Looking good — Cosmetics for the Eyes
Blog vol 6.45. Looking good — Cosmetics for the Eyes
Cosmetics is huge business. Last year in North America, the cosmetics and beauty industry was a staggering $108 billion strong. Yes, there are products for the eyes, lids, and lashes that can improve your look.
During this season of weddings, graduations, and family reunions, we want to look our best. An eye whitener can (temporarily) disappear non-infection-related redness. We gave this drop to a patient with a red eye who was in a wedding party on the weekend, all those photos! There have been products on the market since 1942 for eye redness, like naphazoline, which is a sympathomimetic agent that acts like adrenaline for the eyes. Two problems: a person with cardiovascular issues should not use this drop, and the rebound effect from the countering parasympathetic system, meaning more redness after use.
Today’s answer for red eyes — Lumify.
Lumify is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It has a similar mechanism to naphazoline with less side affects. Interestingly, it was developed as a glaucoma treatment that decreased aqueous humor production and increased outflow of aqueous humor to the venous system. Being alpha-2 selective, it has fewer side effects than other adrenergic drops. It also is fast acting and the drop of choice when a quick pressure drop is needed during glaucoma treatment. Researchers found that a nice side effect of the drop is vaso-constriction, resulting in whitening of the eyes. The dosage for Lumify is so low, at 0.025 %, that it has few other side effects.
We recommend Lumify for those times when you need whitening, especially for special occasion photos. The dosage is so low that it is available over the counter.
And if you need fuller lashes — Latisse.
Prostaglandin analogues have been used to treat glaucoma for some time. In the 1990’s latanoprost was developed to lower pressure in the eye, a prostaglandin that increases uveo-scleral outflow of aqueous humor with very little side effects. One interesting side effect, however, was an increased in the darkening, fulness, and length of the eyelashes. A new analogue, bimatoprost, effectively treats glaucoma at 0.03% dosage. With a custom-built applicator, the drop can be applied externally to the lashes for fuller, darker lashes. This external treatment is the same dosage as the glaucoma agent, so a prescription is required, usually provided by a cosmetics clinic.
Unwanted and wanted side effects, and cosmetic solutions for those times when you need help. Of note is that Lumify is pretty well instant acting and can be stopped at any time, while Latisse takes time to start working and needs to be continued.
There are just so many interesting aspects to eye care.
Til next week,
The good doctor
