Cutaneous Prostaglandin Application: Nail Growth, Nail Brittleness, and Eye Pressure

Summary

Topical prostaglandin agents are used to help reduce eye pressure in glaucoma patients. Bimatoprost (Lumigan 0.01%) is such an agent (Allergan, Inc.). Several of our patients on bimatoprost and an observational study of patients on bimatoprost in another center reported that fingernails grew longer and became less brittle using the topical eye drops to the eyes. The purpose of the double-blinded study is to determine whether the application of the eye drops directly to the proximal nail fold of one hand using the opposite hand as a control will result in longer nails, less brittle nails, and reduced eye pressures should any of the medication be absorbed into the systemic circulation.

Timeline

Start

2015-06-04

Primary completion

2016-05-06

Completion

2016-05-06

Publications

• Background Weston BC. Migraine headache associated with latanoprost. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001 Feb;119(2):300-1. No abstract available.
• Background Ziboh VA, Miller CC. Essential fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids: significance in cutaneous biology. Annu Rev Nutr. 1990;10:433-50. doi: 10.1146/annurev.nu.10.070190.002245. No abstract available.
• Results Khouri AS, Fechtner RD, Zimmerman, TJ. Latanoprost: A New Approach to the Treatment of Glaucoma. Today's Therapeutic Trends 14: 225-240, 1997
• Results Woodward DF, Krauss AH, Chen J, Lai RK, Spada CS, Burk RM, Andrews SW, Shi L, Liang Y, Kedzie KM, Chen R, Gil DW, Kharlamb A, Archeampong A, Ling J, Madhu C, Ni J, Rix P, Usansky J, Usansky H, Weber A, Welty D, Yang W, Tang-Liu DD, Garst ME, Brar B, Wheeler LA, Kaplan LJ. The pharmacology of bimatoprost (Lumigan). Surv Ophthalmol. 2001 May;45 Suppl 4:S337-45. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6257(01)00224-7.
• Results Bean GW, Camras CB. Commercially available prostaglandin analogs for the reduction of intraocular pressure: similarities and differences. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008 Nov;53 Suppl1:S69-84. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2008.08.012.
• Results Sjoquist B. Human pharmacokinetic studies summary. Pharmacia and Upjohn Company Technical Report 9500155. March 25, 1995.
• Results Tan J, Berke S. Latanoprost-induced prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy. Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Sep;90(9):e245-7; discussion 1029. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e31829d8dd7.
• Results Wand M, Shields BM. Cystoid macular edema in the era of ocular hypotensive lipids. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002 Mar;133(3):393-7. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(01)01412-x.
• Results Cohen JL. Enhancing the growth of natural eyelashes: the mechanism of bimatoprost-induced eyelash growth. Dermatol Surg. 2010 Sep;36(9):1361-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01522.x.
• Results Johnstone MA. Hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes and adjacent hair in the region of the ipsilateral eyelids of patients treated with unilateral topical latanoprost. Am J Ophthalmol. 1997 Oct;124(4):544-7. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)70870-0.
• Results Wand M. New side effect of Prostaglandins. [email protected]. Jan 2015.
• Results Seed Oils and Essential Fatty Acids. Retrieved 5/21/12 http://www.naturopathica.com/system/user_files/attachments/7/original/Naturopathica_Seed_Oils.pdf
• Results Janis J (ed). Nail bed injuries. Essential of Plastic Surgery: A UT Southwestern Medical Center Handbook. St Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing, Inc: 560-567, 2007.

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Indications