It’s official, as we reported a little over 2 weeks ago about pending approval of LATISSE(TM) to increase the length, number and darkness of a patient’s eyelashes Allergan made the announcement today that the FDA approved LATISSE(TM) (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%), allowing it to be prescribed by doctors.
Available only through a doctor, LATISSE(TM) is a once-daily prescription treatment applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use-per-eye disposable applicator. LATISSE(TM) users can expect to experience longer, fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks. To maintain effect, continued treatment with LATISSE(TM) is required. If use of LATISSE(TM) is discontinued, eyelashes will gradually return to where they were prior to treatment over a period of weeks to months (average eyelash hair cycle).
LATISSE(TM) will be available in the United States by prescription only and is subject to all U.S. guidelines applicable to dispensing a prescription product. Based on today’s FDA approval, Allergan expects to launch the product nationwide in the first quarter of 2009.
In studies LATISSE(TM) was well tolerated with the most commonly reported adverse events being non-serious and cosmetic in nature. Common adverse events observed in the clinical trial included eye redness (3.6%), itchy eyes (3.6%) and skin hyperpigmentation (2.9%). LATISSE(TM) use may cause darkening of the eyelid skin which may be reversible. Although not reported in clinical studies, LATISSE(TM) use may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely to be permanent.
The American Optometric Association and the National Association of School Nurses have come to agreement to promote comprehensive vision care for students to improve a students ability to learn in the classroom. This comes on the heels of a study published in October by Vision Service Plan that showed that most children have not had an eye exam. School screenings, while helpful and necessary, are unfortunately often confused by parents as an eye exam. It will be great to see what the two associations do to promote better eye care and learning in children. Read the entire press release here.
Allergan, Inc. the maker of Lumigan, a medication we currently use to lower the intra-ocular pressure in patients with
Photo, Lumigan ophthalmic solution
glaucoma, is expected to receive approval to market Lumigan to patients that wish to lengthen and thicken their eyelashes. Lumigan is a popular drug for the treatment of glaucoma. A side affect of Lumigan is that of thickening and lengthening the eyelashes. Patients often ask us if there is a way to make their eyelases longer and thicker. The answer was always yes but it’s not approved for that purpose.
The “new drug” will be called Latisse (Bimatoprost Solution 0.03%) and is pending approval for the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes (reduced amount of hair). Latisse will cause an increase in the number, thickness and darkness of the eyelashes. Unlike Lumigan it is not intended to go directly into the eye, but rather on the eyelashes. Allergan expects to begin marketing Latisse in 2009.
As a side note a few years ago a patient brought a product from the Jan Marini line of skin care products into the office. The company claimed the product contained a drug that caused the eyelashes to lengthen. Not long after that the FDA forced it off the market. I’m glad to see an alternative is just around the corner.
The FDA approves LATISSE(TM) December 26, 2008, read about it here.
Just a quick note today. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Coopervision’s Biofinity monthly soft contact lens for 6 consecutive nights and 7 days of extended wear. Read the Biofinity product information insert here.
Annual eye exams are an essential part of a person’s annual health plan. Along with our yearly physical and dental exam we should remember that our eyes provide a window to the health of our bodies and an annual, dilated eye exam is an essential component of preventative healthcare.
See our video below which was produced at our new Colleyville office on the importance of regular eye exams.
In recognition of November Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14, we would like to urge community members to schedule yearly eye exams, particularly those with diabetes or that are pre-disposed to diabetes.Approximately 21 million Americans have diabetes, representing 7% of the population, and 6.2 million Americans remain undiagnosed.There were 1.5 million newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in people ages 20 years or older in 2005 demonstrating that diabetes is rapidly becoming one of the most important health care issues. …………Read More
Diabetes is becoming an epidemic because of the obesity crisis in the United States. In fact, 17-20 million Americans suffer from diabetes. Of these people, one-third are unaware that they have the disease.
With a dilated, comprehensive eye examination, an optometrist can detect and diagnose diabetes and start you on the road to treatment for the disease. Optometrist Dr. Richard A. Driscoll with Total Eye Care in Colleyville reminds you to consider having a comprehensive eye examination as part of National Diabetes Month this November.
Vision Service Plan has answered a question that many of us have long suspected with the release of a study conducted by VSP Vision Care. The nationwide study of almost 4000 Americans called the Consumer Eye Care and Eyewear Survey. Revealed that 76% of the the children under the age of 5 had never had an eye exam.
“While most parents probably assume that vision screenings provided by pediatricians and school nurses are enough, those screenings are nowhere near as exhaustive as the comprehensive eye exams that optometrists and ophthalmologist provide,” said James Short, O.D., chair of VSP Vision Care’s board of directors.
Dr. Short elaborated further “Before children enter school, an eye doctor should examine the eyes for signs of astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightendnes and also examine the structure of the eye for telltale signs of serious diseases”.
The study goes on to discuss the importance of providing proper sunglasses for children, tips on how to get children to wear sunglasses, prevention of computer vision syndrome in children and how to spot when your child may need an eye exam.
On Halloween, an assortment of ballerinas, clowns, ghosts, and other goblins will have their eyes on just one thing—candy. Roaming dimly lit neighborhoods is part of the fun for children in pursuit of treats, but it can also be dangerous.
“Trick-or-treaters and parents need to remember that on Halloween, to be safe, you must be seen,” said Dr. Richard A. Driscoll from Total Eye Care in Keller. “Studies have shown that a child’s risk of injury or death as a result of being hit by a car doubles around Halloween.” ……….. Read More
Patients that are not Facebook users can still use the service by going to the Acuminder website to register where the can elect to get reminders via text message or email. There is also an option to download a reminder to you computer desktop.
This is a great idea! We constantly hear that patients forget to replace their contact lenses, thus increasing the risk of eye infections, because the get busy and forget to do it. The more often contact lenses are replaced the healthier it is for our eyes. So give your eyes a break and sign up.
