Lumigan ophthalmic drops is another drug formulated by the Allergan, Inc. This particular medicine is composed of a key ingredient named bimatoprost. Its content for bimatoprost is 0.3 mg/ml. Lumigan is a colorless and clear solution that incorporates an osmolality ranging to 290 mOsmol/kg. Its additional ingredients include preservative and inactive components. To name it, its sole preservative ingredient is benzalkonium chloride. Sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, purified water, citric acid, and dibasic are inactive ingredients. To adjust the pH, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide can be added.

Lumigan was designed to treat patients with glaucoma. As per the clinical studies conducted by the experts, Lumigan reduces the intraocular pressure (IOP) developed in the eye due to ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. Although this medicine has already been proven to work effectively, some people are not advised to use it. Patients who have hypersensitivity on Lumigan ingredients such as bimatoprost should not use Lumigan.

Along with its contraindications, Lumigan must be taken with cautions. Lumigan ophthalmic drops trigger changes on pigmented tissues. The most common transformation is the heightening of iris pigmentation, eyelash growth, and periorbital tissue and eyelashes. Pigmentation will continue to augment not until the application of Lumigan is stopped. Once the application of Lumigan is stopped, you can expect that the pigmentation developed on the iris might become permanent. Pigmentation of periorbital tissue as well as eyelashes can be reversed. Potential users of Lumigan must be well educated about the possible occurrence of heightened pigmentation. There is no detailed report as to what happens if pigmentation continues beyond five years.

Eye color changes as Lumigan is continuously used. This side effect happens because of the advancement of melanin content found in the so called stromal melanocytes in the iris, instead of advancing the total melanocytes. The change of color in the eye may not be observed for some months or years. The transformation might takes place in a gradual procedure. Brown pigmentation developed around the pupil penetrates co-axially towards the iris periphery and the full or some parts of iris turn more brownish.

Skin darkening may also occur although it can be reversed once the application of Lumigan is stopped. Some side effects appear favorable to patients especially to women. The use of Lumigan slowly transforms the eyelashes as well as the vellus hair situated on the eye treated. Eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and fuller. These side effects can also be reversed once the use of Lumigan ophthalmic solution is stopped.

People with uveitis or other cases of dynamic intraocular inflammation must be cautious when using this solution. The use of Lumigan has been reported to cause macular edema. Other people who should be cautious with Lumigan application are those with aphaikkic, and pseudophakic.

For safety and efficacy, patients must also learn the ideal application of Lumigan. For patients who are using contact lenses, these must be removed before applying the solution. Lumigan’s content for benzalkonium chloride can be absorbed by the lenses. Patient can only wear back the lenses 15 minutes after the application.

Lumigan ophthalmic drops are powerful medicine. However, patients must learn its essential facts.