Lumigan (Bimatoprost)

Lumigan (bimatoprost) is an eye drop used to treat glaucoma and high eye pressure. As a prostaglandin analog, it helps lower pressure inside the eye by improving how fluid drains out. This reduced pressure helps protect the optic nerve and prevent vision loss. Lumigan is used for people with open-angle glaucoma or increased eye pressure. It comes in two strengths, 0.01% and 0.03%, and is meant only for use in the eyes.

Directions

Lumigan is instilled directly into the eye once daily in the evening. The standard dosage is 1 drop in the affected eye or eyes.

Wash your hands before applying the medication and avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface to prevent contamination. If wearing contact lenses, remove them before instilling the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.

When using multiple eye medications, wait at least 5 minutes between each product to allow proper absorption.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Lumigan is bimatoprost.

Cautions

• Before using this medication, you may want to consult a healthcare provider about the following:
  • Any existing health conditions
  • Any allergies
  • A list of all medications currently being taken
• Lumigan can cause gradual darkening of the iris (the colored part of the eye), eyelids, or eyelashes. Iris color changes may be permanent, while eyelid and eyelash changes may reverse after stopping the medication.
• Changes in eye color often happen slowly over months or years and may not be noticeable at first. Regular eye exams are recommended if visible color changes occur.
• Lumigan may cause eyelashes in the treated eye to grow longer, thicker, or darker. These eyelash changes usually go away after treatment is stopped.
• Eye inflammation can occur, and Lumigan should be used with caution if you have active eye inflammation such as uveitis.
• Swelling in the back of the eye (macular edema) has been reported, especially in people who have had cataract surgery or have other eye risk factors.
• Eye infections have occurred when the dropper tip becomes contaminated, particularly in people with existing eye surface problems. Avoid touching the bottle tip to your eye or skin.
• Lumigan contains a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed before use and can be put back in after 15 minutes.

Contraindications

Avoid taking or using this medication if any of the following apply:

• Hypersensitivity to bimatoprost
• Allergy to any inactive ingredients

Side Effects

Common side effects of Lumigan include:

• Eye redness (conjunctival hyperemia)
• Eye irritation, itching, or pain
• Blurred vision
• Eyelid redness or itching
• Increased eyelash growth or darkening
• Darkening of the skin around the eyes

These side effects most often affect the treated eye and are usually mild. Eye redness is the most common reaction and is a common reason people notice a change when starting Lumigan.

More serious side effects can include permanent darkening of the iris, eye inflammation, macular edema, or allergic reactions. Post-marketing reports have also included dry eye, light sensitivity, eyelid shape changes, and breathing-related symptoms such as shortness of breath in rare cases. Contact a healthcare provider if you develop persistent eye pain, vision changes, signs of infection, or swelling around the eyes.