This is probably a silly question, however I have had multiple different eye drops over the past 7 years for my Glaucoma, and are currently using Travatan and Combigan.
Had anybody noticed any changes in hair thinning or hair loss.
I seem to have thinning of my hair and are concerned, if this continues I will get a very short haircut
Hello, I have just checked the patient information leaflet for Combigan, and one of the rare side effects is hair loss from the Brimonidine side of the drop. Hair loss is not mentioned in the Travatan. Any concerns with the side effects should be discussed with your consultant, they will look into prescribing you an alternative drop.
hi yes I have the same problem with my hair & it’s getting shorter all the time. I told my consultant of this but nothing changes. I have had side effects with all my eye drops so I have decided to stop all drops & try taking 1g paracetamol every 6 hours (that’s 2x500mg) three times a day plus 1x Gingko Biloba plus 2x Bilberry with Lutein. I will try this combination for a month to see if it works. I had researched the paracetamol before hand.
That’s interesting to know. Does the paracetamol lower eye pressures?
hi well I looked it up & it says it lowers IOP but it’s best if you look it up yourself. I came along it by chance as I was looking for an alternative to using eye drops, I was feeling rubbish every day & could feel it was from the eye drops. I am trying this combination for a month to see if it makes a difference.
ok thanks. I can understand how you feel about the eye drops. I was on Brimonidine for a while and I was so drowsy I was falling asleep mid morning. I have terrible memory issues now when I used to be so good at retaining information. Maybe it’s my age but I have wondered about constant use of drops and side affects. AndI also have thinning hair. So I take Ginko Bilboa and 1000mg B3. It would be good to know paracetamol might work for a short time if eye drops run out. Not sure of the side effects of prolonged use though. Anyway good luck with it.
hi seemingly there are no long term effect with paracetamol or so pharmacist said as lots of people take these tablets daily. Anything is work a try & if it makes me feel better than when I use eye drops that’s fine for me. I am 74 years Young & I want to make the most of my life without feeling crap all the time.
yes good for you! I am 70 and life is too short to be feeling rubbish. Meditation also helps. It’s stress that we need to avoid or manage differently.
Did this work after your months trial? I am experiencing hair loss and general feeling unwell and would be interested to try this if it worked
Hi Moana64,I'm interested in your question as I noticed a very sudden thinning of my hair line in January, within a month of having a Hydrus shunt op in December
A clear thinning band of about half an inch appeared almost overnight. I've lost more hair on top too. Having said that it's been thinning for years ( I'm 65) and my Mother and Aunt have similar problems. It was just the suddenness that was startling. Like you, I've been wondering about needing a wig at some point.
I'm on different drops from you, bimatoprost and dorzolamide, all since mid 2022. Also Diamox tabs post op ( can't remember the other name ) .The 'prost: drops are supposed to increase hair growth.
I think maybe the sudden hair loss is just down to being very highly stressed about the glaucoma over the past year.Together with the 'dark sunken eyes' side effect of the bimatoprost I feel I've aged rapidly. Along with the glaucoma it's all rather dispiriting.
I go to my specialist again mid July so will mention the hair thinning. You say you’ve also had problems with eye drops, however have you had any surgery to reduce eye pressure? Is it wise to stop your drops???
I also have had chronic hair loss and breakage.
I just had the Hydrus shunt in Dec 2022. No, I'm not thinking of stopping my drops but I will ask my consultant at next appointment . I'd be interested to hear what your consultant says.
Hello. I do not have glaucoma or medical Brimonidine but I’ve been using Lumify (Brimonidine) for about two years now and have DEFINITELY noticed severe thinning and loss of hair. I went to my GP and had loads of thyroid and other tests done, no problems there. I’ve been wracking my brains trying to think what might have caused this as it is not getting better. Today, I had an epiphany and typed Brimonidine and hair loss into Google and came upon this thread. Too much of a coincidence. I have lost around half of my previously thick and one length healthy hair over two years. I am rocking an unwanted 70’s feather cut at the moment, and using hair pieces to cover it up. There must be a connection.
Success with IOPs of 6-8 with a trabeculectomy?
Cataract op washing face afterwards!
Recent diagnosis - Low Tension Glaucoma.
First Appointment after Diagnosis 
