What is Upneeq®?
Upneeq® (oxymetazoline ophthalmic) is a novel, non-surgical approach to treating droopy eyelids. It’s the only FDA-approved prescription eye drop for acquired ptosis to help correct the drooping and open your eyes.
Upneeq® is a great option for patients with ptosis who are not good candidates for surgery but are still looking for a more youthful and wide-awake appearance. It’s also good for people who do not want corrective eyelid surgery. In certain cases, this prescription can be used for temporary relief of minor eye redness or discomfort caused by minor irritants and blepharitis (a condition that causes a droopy eyelid over one or both eyes) and may be used by adults and children at least 13 years old.
How Does Upneeq® Work?
Upneeq® has changed how physicians treat acquired ptosis across the board. The active ingredient, oxymetazoline, works by making the eyelid muscle get shorter and tighter by contracting. This allows physicians to treat patients with milder acquired ptosis with fewer invasive treatments designed to treat ptosis.
Upneeq® is safe and well-tolerated, but you should not use oxymetazoline ophthalmic if you are allergic to it. Please tell your Ava MD provider if you have ever had:
- High or low blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Blood circulation problems
- Glaucoma
- Eye injury or infection
Your Ava MD provider will work with you to evaluate your eye to determine whether or not Upneeq® is the right option for you. Certain conditions may prevent you from being an ideal candidate for Upneeq®, which may affect your blood pressure and metabolism, interfering with certain medications. These include beta-blockers, anti-hypertensive medications, cardiac glycosides, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Why Upneeq® is Different From Other Ptosis Treatments
The cause of ptosis is not always the same. As such, treatment options for ptosis vary based on severity. Traditionally, for cases that are considered less severe, patients were expected to live with the condition until such a time that it worsened. Upneeq® allows patients with milder cases of acquired ptosis to enjoy a non-invasive, non-surgical approach where surgery is not clinically indicated.
Additionally, it can be used to treat patients with acquired blepharoptosis (ptosis stemming from a blepharitis infection) and is considered ideal for temporary use. However, Upneeq® is not a substitute for eyelid surgery.
Application is easy. Simply administer the eye drops as directed to the affected eye. If you are using more than one topical ophthalmic drug, please administer them at least 15 minutes apart between applications. Additionally, contact lenses should be removed prior to using Upneeq®. They may be worn 15 minutes after application.
What to Expect from Upneeq®
The drops begin working immediately after use, though the best results are seen a few hours after application. Clinical trials indicate Upneeq® lifts the upper eyelid in as little as two hours. Many patients report an increase of confidence because they now appear more awake and alert. If you are concerned about mild drooping eyelids, Upneeq® could be exactly what you need.
Patients should expect to need multiple treatments; your AVA MD provider will determine how many treatments you need based on your specific case. Upneeq® should only be used as prescribed by your doctor.
Results
If you’re looking to correct droopy eyelids from acquired ptosis without an invasive surgery, Upneeq® is the perfect solution for you. However, it is not a viable treatment option for genetic ptosis, which often needs surgical correction.
In clinical trials, Upneeq® helped patients with acquired ptosis, often on the first day of treatment!
For more information on Upneeq® results, please contact your AVA MD provider.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
If you are tired of living with ptosis, call the experts at Ava MD. We have years of experience treating this condition and work carefully to find the best solution for each patient. Call us at 310-843-9915 (Beverly Hills) or 310-828-2282 (Santa Monica).