Bimatoprost ophthalmic (eye) drop is used to treat certain diseases of the eye like open-angle glaucoma and ocular (eye) hypertension which occurs in many people as they grow older. Glaucoma is caused by high pressure in your eye and can lead to pain from pressure in your eye and then can eventually harm your vision. This medicine can help you keep your sight by reducing the pressure in your eye and stopping eye pain.

Bimatoprost ophthalmic (eye) solution is also used to treat eyelash hypotrichosis (not enough eyelashes) by increasing their growth and making the eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of this medicine than your doctor ordered.

If your doctor ordered two different eye medicines to be used together, wait at least 5 minutes between the times you apply these medicines. This will help to keep the second medicine from “washing out” the first one.

The preservative used in these eye medicines may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause irritation of your eyes. Soft contact lenses should be taken out before you use bimatoprost. Lenses may be put back in the eyes 15 minutes after you have used the medicine.

To use Lumigan® eye drops:

The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.
First, wash your hands. Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
Remove any excess solution around the eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch the eye.
If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, repeat the directions with another drop.
Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
To use Latisse™ solution for eyelash growth:

Make sure your face is clean and remove your make-up and contact lenses before using this medicine.
Always wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
Place one drop of the solution on the disposable sterile applicator and apply it evenly along the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes.
Remove any excess solution around the eyes with a tissue or any absorbent cloth.
Repeat for the other upper eyelid margin using a new applicator.
Do not apply this medicine on the lower eyelashes.
Dispose of the applicator after each use.
To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.

This medicine comes with patient information insert. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blindness

bloody eye

blurred or decreased vision

change in color vision

color changes in the skin around the eyes

difficulty seeing at night

disturbed color perception

double vision

dry eyes

eye color changes

fever or chills

halos around lights

lack or loss of strength

loss of vision

night blindness

overbright appearance of lights

redness, burning, dry, or itching eyes

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

tunnel vision

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Body aches or pain

cough

difficulty with breathing

ear congestion

headache

loss of voice

nasal congestion

redness of the white part of eyes or inside of the eyelids

runny nose

sneezing

sore throat

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Darkening of the eyelashes

eye discharge or excessive tearing

eye strain

feeling of having something in the eye

increase in hair growth

increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your eye doctor will want to examine your eyes at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working properly and is not causing unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to bimatoprost.

Check with your doctor if you have an injury, trauma, or infection in your eye or if you are scheduled to have an eye surgery. Your doctor may want you to use a fresh bottle of bimatoprost in case the present bottle has become contaminated during use.

If you are using this medication for eyelash growth, be careful to apply as directed and wipe off any excess that comes into contact with other skin areas. There is a potential for hair growth in other areas this medicine comes into contact with.

While you are using bimatoprost, the iris (colored part) of your treated eye(s) may slowly become more brown in color. The change in color of the iris is noticeable usually within several months or years from the start of treatment with bimatoprost. In addition, there may be a darkening of the eyelid skin color. Also, your eyelashes may become longer, thicker, and darker. These changes to the iris, eyelid, and lashes may be permanent even if you stop using bimatoprost. Also, these changes to the iris, eyelid, and lashes will affect only the eye being treated with bimatoprost. Therefore, if only one eye is being treated, only that eye may develop darker iris, eyelid, and eyelashes and other changes to the eyelashes, and you may have differently appearing eyes. Check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.