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First prescription ophthalmic solution for droopy eyelids
An eye drop called Upneeq is the first drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat acquired ptosis, a condition in which the upper eyelid droops over the eye. An estimated 11.5% of adults have droopy eyelids, but many don't know that it's considered a disorder — or that it can be treated.
Drooping eyelid occurs when the muscles that keep the eye open lose their function with age. As the eyelid droops, the eye opening constricts and vision can be affected.
“This is an exciting development for people with acquired droopy eyelids who have had limited treatment options. The standard of care for this condition has been surgery. But not everyone is a candidate for surgery. Off-label use of other eye medications is only safe for short-term treatment,” says Dr. Kendra DeAngelis, an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Academy spokeswoman. "Now, we may have a noninvasive, possibly long-term, treatment option to offer our patients."
Fix droopy eyelids without surgery
Prescription eye drops offer an alternative to surgery and unapproved medications, the only options to fix droopy eyelids so far. Upneeq works on a muscle that raises the eyelid. It causes the muscle to contract, allowing the eyelid to open 1 to 2 millimeters more than it did before treatment.
Upneeq, which contains the same active ingredient (oxymetazoline) as Afrin nasal spray, needs to be reapplied once a day to maintain the effect. But unlike Afrin, which is not safe for long-term use, Upneeq can be used indefinitely.
According to Osmotica Pharmaceuticals, the company that develops Upneeq, the drug is estimated to cost between $90 and $120 for a 30-day supply. Discounts of up to 35% may be available for people who purchase a three-month supply.
First prescription ophthalmic solution for droopy eyelids
An eye drop called Upneeq is the first drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat acquired ptosis, a condition in which the upper eyelid droops over the eye. An estimated 11.5% of adults have droopy eyelids, but many don't know that it's considered a disorder — or that it can be treated.
Drooping eyelid occurs when the muscles that keep the eye open lose their function with age. As the eyelid droops, the eye opening constricts and vision can be affected.
“This is an exciting development for people with acquired droopy eyelids who have had limited treatment options. The standard of care for this condition has been surgery. But not everyone is a candidate for surgery. Off-label use of other eye medications is only safe for short-term treatment,” says Dr. Kendra DeAngelis, an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Academy spokeswoman. "Now, we may have a noninvasive, possibly long-term, treatment option to offer our patients."
Fix droopy eyelids without surgery
Prescription eye drops offer an alternative to surgery and unapproved medications, the only options to fix droopy eyelids so far. Upneeq works on a muscle that raises the eyelid. It causes the muscle to contract, allowing the eyelid to open 1 to 2 millimeters more than it did before treatment.
Upneeq, which contains the same active ingredient (oxymetazoline) as Afrin nasal spray, needs to be reapplied once a day to maintain the effect. But unlike Afrin, which is not safe for long-term use, Upneeq can be used indefinitely.
According to Osmotica Pharmaceuticals, the company that develops Upneeq, the drug is estimated to cost between $90 and $120 for a 30-day supply. Discounts of up to 35% may be available for people who purchase a three-month supply.
