An FDA advisory panel has recommended an eyelash enhancing drug for approval that was originally conceived as a treatment for glaucoma.

Allergan is currently seeking FDA approval to market the drug as an eyelash growth stimulator under the proposed brand name Latisse.

Panel approval is crucial.

Gaining the support of the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee on Friday was a crucial step on that road because the FDA rarely goes against the recommendations of the advisory panel.

Voting for the approval of Latisse, the committee said the data gathered from the glaucoma use of the drug demonstrated its power to make eyelashes longer and thicker.

In line with an FDA report published on Wednesday, panelists also concluded that there was a lack of serious side-effects brought on by the use of the drug in clinical trials......