Awareness About the Use of Bimatoprost (Careprost®) Eye Drops Among Female Adult Community for Cosmetic Purposes in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution is a prescription drug that has been well established for
the treatment of ocular hypertension in multiple randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials. During
many of these trials, the ability to stimulate eyelash hypertrichosis was noted as a side effect of therapy.
Because of the beneficial applications of this side effect, the ophthalmic medication was rebranded for cosmetic use. The current study aims to asses and community female’s awareness and practice towards rational
cosmetic use of Careprost (Bimatoprost) eye drops. A descriptive questionnaire based cross sectional study
was conducted during the period from January 2021 to May 2021. An online questionnaire was developed
and designed on google forms then uploaded online using various e- platforms like g Facebook, snap chat,
twitter etc. All participants who completed the study questionnaire were considered for analysis but others
with missing answers were excluded. As for participants knowledge regarding Careprost 0.03% eye drops,
and its uses, it was reported that 578 (22.3%) participants told it is Drops for elongation of eye lashes, 383
(14.8%) reported it is used for treatment of glaucoma. In total, 362 (13.9%) participants had good knowledge regarding the eye drops and its uses. Exact of 319 (12.3%) participants reported that they previously
used Careprost 0.03% eye drops. The most reported causes of use were Cosmetic for eye lashes (45.1%). In
conclusion, the current study revealed that Saudi women had poor awareness and practice regarding the
cosmetic use of Careprost 0.03% eye drops for eye lashes. Better awareness level was reported for its side
effects which may explains low utilization rate.