This is regarding the Nov. 3 article: "Latisse: Is an eyelash drug worth the risks?" in The Pantagraph (Page D3).

I regularly prescribe Latisse for eyelash enhancement and would like to clear up the misinformation provided in the article.

The medication works. You need to be careful to apply it as directed by your physician following the instructions. Application of mascara is much more demanding than Latisse. Side effects are minimal

In the Latisse clinical studies, there were no reports of eye color changing from blue to brown. In the glaucoma clinical trials, approximately 1.5 percent of patients experienced increasing brown iris pigmentation. The glaucoma medication was applied as drops in the eye. Latisse is applied with a single-use brush to the edge of the upper eyelid.

The number of patients having darkening of the upper eyelid is less that 4 percent. The incidence of darkening is the same as brushing on a fluid the same concentration as a patient's tears - more likely the application than the medication. The area of darkening will likely be covered by eyeliner.

In almost 300 of my patients using Latisse, no one has developed lower lid darkening and certainly no one has had "raccoon eyes."

Only three of the nearly 300 patients did develop eye redness and itching after application. One stopped application. The others continued use every other day instead of daily and the irritation resolved.

Latisse works providing longer, darker and thicker eyelashes.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Poulter, Bloomington

The writer is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.