A SIDE-effect of a common eye drug could lead to its use as a baldness treatment, say researchers.

Lumigan is given as eye drops to patients with glaucoma, a condition caused by excess fluid in the eye that leads to vision loss.

But it has one marked side-effect – it can stimulate the growth of eyelashes. Research suggests the active ingredient, bimatoprost, has the same effect on the scalp, University of Bradford experts said.

Preliminary trials are now under way to see whether bimatoprost can reverse hair loss.

If successful, it may not be long before the drug is re-marketed as a baldness treatment.