Upneeq is the latest prescription eye drop approved for the treatment of drooping eyes. Eyelid droop – ptosis (pronounced “toe-sys”) is commonly seen in those wearing contact lenses, after trauma or eye surgery or most commonly after accumulating a certain number of birthdays. They say death and taxes are inevitable, but as an aesthetic surgeon I do my best to fight the gravity that takes it’s toll on all of us and now I have a new tool.
Upneeq is made with a dilute solution of oxymetazoline (0.1%) a medication that has been available over the counter as Afrin for many years. It’s specially formulated to keep the medicine on the front of the eye where it can act on a small smooth muscle just underneath the eyelid to raise the lid a little or a lot, depending on how much you need it. It is chock full of moisturizing agents and little to none gets into the actual eye or the bloodstream.
When I first got samples of Upneeq, I knew it was similar to another drop I love: Lumify. Lumify is a drop that whitens a LOT and opens the eyes a little. Upneeq works in a complementary way opening the eyes a LOT and whitening them a little. I find that I am recommending both to my patients who are on set, in videos or just starring in their own lives. Even when you don’t think you need it, adding just one drop gives a really nice cosmetic result that I think most of my patients appreciate.
It’s made to be used just once daily. Once you put it in, like Lumify it can work as quickly as 5 minutes. In some people, it takes a little longer to kick in and the peak effect is at 2 hours. Like Lumify, it lasts 8 hours so most of the day. When I prescribe it, I recommend a 3 month supply and while some people use it every single day, most people use on an as needed basis making their 3 month supply last as long as they want it to.
Upneeq is not for people with unstable heart conditions, patients with Sjogren’s (an autoimmune dry eye condition) or people with narrow angle glaucoma. Most glaucoma is not narrow angle but you should see your eye care professional to be sure you are a good candidate and to get your prescription. Side effects can include redness, dryness or local irriation but even though it’s definitely opening up people’s eyes, not one patient that I’ve used it on has complained of their eyes feeling dry.
I am excited to offer Upneeq to my patients as a new option for looking and feeling better. It’s been a great addition to Toyos Clinic and it’s been fun to see how excited people are when they try it. Open your eyes today to the eye-opening possibilities of Upneeq!
