Bimatoprost in the treatment of eyelash universalis alopecia areata

Objectives: To evaluate topical bimatoprost for eyelash growth in patients with alopecia areata (AA).

Design: A 1-year retrospective study, bilateral eyelash alopecia.

Materials and methods: Forty-one subjects with AA universalis without ocular disease applied 0.03% bimatoprost to the eyelid margin once a day over the course of 1 year.

Results: Thirty-seven subjects completed the study, one patient was eliminated due to conjunctivitis at the beginning of treatment, two patients developed conjunctivitis after 6 months of treatment, and a fourth did not follow directions. Researchers evaluated patients' eyelash growth every 4 months. We observed complete growth in 24.32%, moderate growth in 18.91%, slight growth in 27.02% and without response in 29.72%.

Conclusion: Bimatoprost may be effective and safe in the treatment of eyelash AA. 43.24% of the patients had an acceptable cosmetic response (total and moderate growth).

Limitations: Design without control.