The Complete Guide to Upneeq for 2022
Upneeq has quickly gained popularity as the only prescription medication that can correct certain types of eyelid droop. In addition to being a popular discussion topic among eyecare professionals due to its amazing ability to lift the eyelids and give eyes a wider, brighter look, Upneeq has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Allure.
Whether you already know a little about this droop or are hearing about it for the first time, check out the Boerne Vision Center Complete Guide to Upneeq for 2022.
What are Upneeq Eye Drops? 
Upneeq is a medicinal eye drop that has been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration to treat acquired droopy eyelids. Upneeq can be used in one, or both eyes to lift your upper lid 1-2 mm of lift.
What is Ptosis/Blepharoptosis?
Ptosis is a technical term for sagging and blepharoptosis specifically refers to sagging of the eyelids. Because blepharoptosis is a very common form of ptosis, some people use the two terms interchangeably. Blepharoptosis can be either congenital, present from birth, or acquired later in life. A common cause of congenital ptosis is the failure of a nerve connection to develop properly. Meanwhile, acquired ptosis is most often caused by age and certain eye conditions.
Having a droopy eyelid can make you look like you are tired even if you are not. In addition, a droopy eyelid might affect your eyesight by limiting your field of vision. This can interfere with daily tasks like reading, computer use, and driving.
How Does Upneeq Treat Ptosis
Upneeq contains a medication called oxymetazoline hydrochloride that acts on one of the eyelid muscles called Muller’s muscle. Oxymetazoline hydrochloride is also an ingredient in the nasal spray called Afrin. Afrin helps relieve congestion by making blood vessels contract.
When used on the eye, Upneeq causes the Muller muscle to contract, thus giving the user a wider-eyed appearance for up to six hours.
Is Upneeq Safe?
Overall, Upneeq is considered safe for use by most people. During safety studies, 1-5% of people reported side effects which included irritation, dry eye, blurry vision, headache, and stinging when putting the drop in their eye. While side effects from Upneeq are very rare, you should always contact your doctor if you think that you are experiencing a side effect.
In addition, people with certain health conditions need to be extra careful when they use Upneeq. You should tell your doctor if you have any health condition, even if it does not seem eye-related. Likewise, you should tell your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you are taking any medications.
How Was Upneeq Tested?
Upneeq was tested in 304 patients with acquired droopy eyelids via two 6-week trials to show its effectiveness. Another third separate study was conducted to make sure that Upneeq is safe for use. Based on the data from these studies, the FDA has approved Upneeq to be a safe and effective treatment for acquired blepharoptosis.
Who Can Use Upneeq?
Upneeq is approved to treat acquired ptosis in adult men and women. If you are an adult who is suffering from a droopy eyelid due to age and a few other conditions, you could find relief with Upneeq.
How To Use Upneeq?
You should always use Upneeq as directed by your doctor. RVL Pharmacy, the creators of Upneeq, recommend using one drop of Upneeq once per day in the eye with the droopy eyelid. If both eyelids are droopy, your doctor may recommend that you use Upneeq in both eyes.
Always wash your hands before touching your eyes to apply Upneeq. As with all eye drops, you should also avoid touching the tip of the Upneeq dropper to unclean surfaces because this can cause bacteria to transfer into your eyes and lead to an eye infection. If you suspect that you have developed an eye infection after using Upneeq, contact your doctor right away.
Can Upneeq Treat Any Droopy Eyelid?
Upneeq is FDA approved to treat certain kinds of acquired ptosis. This means that Upneeq can not treat droopy eyelids that are present from birth. Likewise, Upneeq may not be useful in droopy eyelids that happen due to a mass on the eyelid or fat sagging around
At Boerne Vision Center, our doctors will conduct an eye examination to determine whether Upneeq is the right choice for your needs.
Can You Buy Upneeq Over the Counter?
Because Upneeq is a prescription medication, you cannot buy it over the counter. Instead, you will need to speak to your eye doctor and schedule an eye examination so that your doctor can determine whether Upneeq is right for you.
Can You Use Upneeq to Get Brighter, Wider Eyes?
Because Upneeq helps lift your upper eyelids, it will make your eyes look wider, which could also make you look more rested and refreshed. If you want to use Upneeq to achieve a bright-eyed look, you should speak to your doctor and get an eye examination to determine whether you have a droopy eyelid in one or both eyes.
What to Do if You Have a Droopy Eyelid
Most of the time, droopy eyelids happen due to age-related muscle weakness. This means that you’ll notice one or both of your eyelids start to droop gradually over time. If you notice that one or both of your eyelids have become droopy, you should speak to your eye doctor about your options, including Upneeq.
On the other hand, if you notice that one or both of your eyelids starts to droop suddenly, call your eye doctor to schedule an exam as soon as possible. A suddenly droopy eyelid could be a sign of a serious health problem such as a stroke.
If you are not sure whether your eyelid has started to droop gradually or suddenly, look at some of your old photos and compare. If you notice your eyelids becoming more droopy during different photos, it is likely that the drooping has been gradual.
How to Fix a Droopy Eyelid Without Surgery
In the past, surgery was the only option to fix any kind of droopy eyelid. However, surgery can be risky and many people are uncomfortable having surgery for their droopy eyelids. Now, individuals who have droopy eyelids have the option of using Upneeq instead. Just one drop of Upneeq can give an eyelid a 1-2mm lift without surgery. If you have mild, moderate, or even severe droopy eyelids, Upneeq might allow you to fix the problem without surgery.
Upneeq Before and After
