Doctors said a new FDA-approved drug may help patients grow longer, thicker eyelashes.

The drug is called Latisse. It's based on a drug called Lumigan that was developed to treat glaucoma. While using the drug for their glaucoma, patients noticed they were also growing longer eyelashes.

Drug Promises Thicker Eyelashes

Morene Podlaski of Grosse Isle, Mich., is one of the first local patients to try Latisse. Podlaski said short eyelashes run in her family, and makeup doesn't seem to help much.

"In the last several years, I've noticed that my eyelashes are thinning and not being replaced. They even seem a little bit shorter," said Podlaski. "I've tried a lot of different mascaras, and it just seems like they're not as lush and full as I'd like. It makes my eyes look a little bit tired, I think."

Dermatologist Dr. Steven Grekin offers Latisse in his Wyandotte office. He said the drug works three ways.

"Everybody thinks it's a mascara. It's not a mascara," said Grekin. "What it does is it lengthens the eyelash, it thickens the individual lash, and believe it or not, it actually darkens the lash."

Latisse is not applied like a mascara. It needs to be carefully dabbed on the upper lash line.

"You apply it with a brush that looks like a make-up brush, but you apply it right to the lash margin. That's where it gets into the follicle so it can do what it's supposed to do," said Grekin.

Doctors said in clinical trials, the most common side effects were redness and itching.

"You can get some eye irritation, as anybody can when you put something by the eye. You can get a little bit of swelling," said Grekin.

The manufacturer also warns there's a small risk Latisse can darken your eyelids or change your eye color, making your eyes appear more brown.

Podlaski already has brown eyes, so she's not worried.

"I'm excited to see the results and excited to see what the possibility might be," said Podlaski.

Patients must use Latisse for three to four months to see the full results. Grekin said Latisse costs about $60 a month and you do have to keep using it to continue seeing results.

To learn more about Latisse, click here.