It may be okay for occasional use, say, once a month, if your eyes are red from fatigue. And it does, at least for a while. Definitely seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these serious side effects. Why YSK: Visine could be causing you more harm than good by temporarily fixing the issue of red eyes without actually addressing the underlining problems. Any change in vision, as well as eye pain and headache, are also need for concern. Fellow sufferers, especially females, know the despair of looking your best for a special event only to have the look ruined by bloodshot eyes. Still, moderation is important. Very beneficial to your health. Harmful to your health. They do not contain a medication but, rather, coat the ocular surface with protective tears. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of. When I opened my eyes, my mind was blown! While looking at a computer screen for hours on end will contribute to eyestrain and make your eyes feel tired, it won't permanently harm them. You should generally AVOID these drops altogether. Some dogs experience itchy red eyes from allergic disease. This seems like a simple solution to a simple problem if your eyes are red. Why Visine Is Bad For Your Eyes | Visine Side Effects. It’s the crack cocaine of eye drops. © 2018 Is It Bad For You, LLC. Visine is Tetrahydrozoline HCl and it works by constricting the blood vessels in the eye. You've read 3 articles - nice! I was shopping a few nights ago and decided to take a look at what my patients can expect when I recommend an OTC eye drop. Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin. Send thanks to the doctor. We will also get rid of ads... forever! More beneficial to your health than not. This is because Visine makes a basic mistake: it temporarily addresses the patients symptom (redness) without adequately solving the underlying cause (which may vary). People with narrow-angle glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, or high blood pressure should also double check with their personal health professional before using Visine. Moderation is important. Have you been to the eye drop aisle at Wal-Mart lately? Visine is not recommended by eye doctors because (like said above) it contains chemicals that contrict your blood vessels - making it appear that your eyes are less red. Both are used twice a day for mild allergies. If you are in a pinch and need quick relief, here’s a simple way to navigate the daunting eye drop aisle: Despite the seemingly endless brands of OTC eye drops, they can generally be condensed into three categories. Suggest improvement or correction to this article Using a decongestant repeatedly will result in … Your eyes will whiten normally if you leave them alone. This decr ... Read More. VISINE® suggest to have the light shining directly on the page when reading, rather than in your eyes, to prevent your eyes from tiring out too quickly. However, just like most over the counter remedies, it shouldn't be abused. Minor possible side effects of Visine can include, but aren't limited to, blurring, tearing, stinging of the eye and sometimes dilation of the pupils. “Visine, Clear Eyes, B&L advanced redness relief, and several other generic versions of this redness relief drop most commonly contain either the active ingredient Tetrahydrozoline or Naphazoline. It really doesn't get to the root cause of the redness (dryness or allergies) but just masks the signs temporarily only to have it come back stronger in a few hours. Save Visine for special occasions like meeting or date when you want eyes to temporarily look more white. Visine contains a decongestant which should not be used by people with some health conditions (warning on bottle). However, if you do not understand what Visine is and how it works, you may be unaware that it could actually be causing more harm than good to your eyes and make your symptoms worse. Astigmatism: The Only Explanation You’ll Ever Need, Fundus Autofluorescence: Catching Eye Disease Earlier. The preservatives themselves can cause irritation and inflammation, hence the redness. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction. There are over one hundred drops to choose from! Written by Kathan Natrajan | Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water). YSK: Visine eye drops are not lubricating eye drops and if used regularly are actually bad for your eyes. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked. Most of the drops out there are redundant and typically not very helpful. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious. Yes: Visine has a vasoconstrictor medication that makes the blood vessels of the eye constrict to decrease the appearance of redness of the eyes. Also, some nonprescription medicines, herbal preparations, and even dietary supplements can create negative interactions with Visine. Bottome Line: GREAT for dry, irritated eyes! You’re also dropping a bunch of really bad preservatives into your eyes every time you use Visine. Minor possible side effects of Visine can include, but aren't limited to, blurring, tearing, stinging of the eye and sometimes dilation of the pupils. To unlock unlimited content and other premium features, become a member for just $5 per month. It’s a vasoconstrictor, which means it squeezes the blood vessels of the eyes so tight, it squeezes all the blood out so your eyes appear white again. Visine is, fundamentally, a decongestant. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible. An herbal, homeopathic preparation called Ruta 30c seems to be something many people are fond of for dry and red eyes. There aren't very many of us who haven't used Visine here and there in order to ease our burning eyes and get rid of redness. Using tetrahydrozoline (active ingredient in Visine) on the surface of the eye has been demonstrated to be safe for self-use for more than 50 years. However, extended use of visine and similar products is not good for your eyes. Brands like Visine, Clear Eyes, Opcon, and Rohto advertise products to “reduce redness”. 2. Owners are used to reaching for the Visine for their own eyes, but do not be tempted to apply Visine to your dog's eyes. Self-medicating red eyes may be prolonging the correct treatment or diagnosis of a potentially serious underlying condition. Why YSK: Visine could be causing you more harm than good by temporarily fixing the issue of red eyes without actually addressing the underlining problems. Visine is an amazing eye drop because it takes the red of our your eyes … Visine does not fix any problems, it just temporarily masks the redness in your eyes by constricting the … Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. These drops contain vaso-constrictive medications called Naphazoline or Tetrahydrozoline that shrink the blood vessels on the surface of your eye, making your eyes appear temporarily less red. While these various … Yes, I ve heard that your eyes can become dependent on the chemicals in visine and that they get redder and stay that way for a long time. Health & Sciences. So you should not use it too much. Visine is, fundamentally, a decongestant. As we discussed in the interview, Petra joined our Dry Eye Bootcamp Challenge. Avoid “Get the Red Out” Drops Like Visine. After use, keep your eyes closed. Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. Visine Tears in an efficient lubricant for all instances of eye dryness. But be warned: these drops have little effect against moderate to severe allergic reactions. The improvement was amazing and better yet, they give my eyes a truly comforting feeling. The first time I tried Lumify, I placed one drop in each eye and then closed them for about a minute. It s probably okay to use it a couple times a week but more than twice a day is probably excessive. Let's find out. I could NOT believe how many Over The Counter (OTC) drops are out there! According to many Ocular Pharmacologists and Doctors, using Visine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding isn't recommended. Redness in your eyes can be caused by swollen and congested blood vessels; these blood vessels, when irritated, become filled with blood and get backed up. Many people are turning to alternative solutions to sore and red eyes these days. Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye. Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. No redness reliever eye drop, Visine, Clear Eyes, or even Lumify, is getting to the very nature of the problem. Harmful to your health. Visine solves the problem by causing the affected blood vessels to artificially constrict. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Side effects are rare. Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Is staring at the computer all day bad for the eyes? Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. It combines a variety of ingredients to deliver a moisturizing and soothing drug. Dr. Canaan Montgomery is an Optometrist in Paducah, Kentucky. Then the problem is that with chronic use, you can get rebound redness. Talk with your doctor to see when lenses may be put back in after Visine (naphazoline and pheniramine) is given. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type. They also make night-time gels and ointments that lubricate your eye while you sleep. Visine is safe for most people. Artificial Tears: These are excellent eye drops to soothe dry or irritated eyes. Harmful to your health. However, as Petra and others have learned, there are many ways to naturally heal and end up with way more good eye days than bad. The problem is, using these drops chronically typically causes more irritation than they prevent and when you stop taking them, they cause rebound inflammation, making your eyes appear even more red and … Some OTC eye drops combine topical decongestants and topical antihistamines, such as found in Visine-A and Opcon-A. Lemme tell you about Visine. Stop using Visine and call your doctor at once if you have ongoing or worsening eye redness, eye pain, or vision changes. Designed by Socially Present | Powered by sociallypresent.com. You need it again and again and again even though it's bad for you. So, is Visine bad for your eyes and why? A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Extended use over time can even cause excessive redness of the eyes. “Get the Red Out”: Brands like Visine, Clear Eyes, and Opcon advertise products to “reduce redness”. It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. Many OTC eye drops contain topical decongestants, such as naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline, which act to decrease redness of the eyes. Visine and many other over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops are not good choices for the treatment of eye allergies. 0. Both of these drugs are in a category called sympathomimetics,” said Dr. Tyson. Suggest improvement or correction. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. That’s it! “I’m really happy about it,” he says. Are Visine eye drops bad for your eyes? Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to. 1. Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. You're also dropping a bunch of really bad preservatives into your eyes every time you use Visine. This brand of eye drops not only relieves you from dry eye syndrome, but it is also protects you from further irritation. The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Bottome Line: The best OTC drops for MILD eye allergies. The preservatives are toxic to bacteria. Visine is, fundamentally, a decongestant. Over time this chemical can cause rebound redness which is often worse than the eyes were before. Moderation is very important. Over time, the blood vessels will stop responding to it and even have a rebound effect, where they get more dilated and red than before. 12-28-2015, 12-28-2015 When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation. They never address the underlying issue causing the redness! Antihistamines: Have allergies? Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. 31 years experience Pediatrics. In fact, many eye doctors recommend that their patients forego this sort of harmful eye drop altogether. They never address the underlying issue causing the redness! More harmful than beneficial. Before taking this medicine You should not use Visine if you are allergic to it. For starters, your Optometrist should be recommending any drops that you might need for your eyes. Is Visine bad for you? Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions. Moderation is very important. But they’re going to be red for a little while while they get off the chemicals in Visine.” Your eyes will whiten normally if you leave them alone. Systane makes excellent artifical tears to soothe dry eyes. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet. The problem is, using these drops chronically typically causes more irritation than they prevent and when you stop taking them, they cause rebound inflammation, making your eyes appear even more red and agitated than before. Very healthy and numerous health benefits. 0 comment. Visine is … Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious. Don't use Visine everyday or you may get some problems getting by without it and could have rebound redness when you stop it. Stronger prescription allergy drops are almost always needed in these cases. Overall beneficial to your health. It works by constricting blood vessels. A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Brands like Systane, Refresh, and Blink all make excellent artifical tears. Can you put Visine in a dog's eyes? The problem is that these sympathomimetics work by a process called vasoconstriction (or artificially clamping down the … is visine or clear eyes bad for everyday use? Yes: Visine has a vasoconstrictor medication that makes the blood vessels of the eye constrict to decrease the appearance of redness of the eyes. These drops contain vaso-constrictive medications called Naphazoline or Tetrahydrozoline that shrink the blood vessels on the surface of your eye, making your eyes appear temporarily less red. There are many things you can do to help relieve the strain on your eyes from working on computers - see our section on Tired Eyes for more information. Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Do not treat moderate to severe eye allergies well. 1 doctor agrees. Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. YSK: Visine eye drops are not lubricating eye drops and if used regularly are actually bad for your eyes. Be sure to check with your doctor if you're taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. Do you have “red itching” eyes? Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Throw your Visine away. Dr. Pandit on the other hand is more enthusiastic. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. This keeps the … However, while Visine does these things well, there are some things to be wary of when using it. How could you possibly narrow it down? 0. by westendeyepaducah | May 11, 2015 | Eye Exams. Visine is for temporary relief of minor eye redness or discomfort caused by minor irritants. As always, ask your optometrist if you have any questions about which drops you should be using! Written by Kathan Natrajan Moderation is extremely important. Yes, too much visine is bad for your eyes. Major side effects can include rashes, hives, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling in the mouth, on the face, lips or tongue. As an eye doctor in Paducah, he focuses on ocular disease, pediatrics, and primary eye care. As we know that visine is an ocular decongestant, which is used to get the red out by constricting the blood vessels in the conjunctiva. Major side effects can include rashes, hives, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling in the mouth, on the face, lips or tongue. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected. 1) The active ingredient in the original Visine is Tetrahydrozaline Hydrochloride. All rights reserved. 3 min read. 2) The preservative used in all Visine drops is Benzalkonium Cholride (aka BAK). Stick with the two best OTC allergy drops: Alaway or Zaditor. 0 thank. And it can be even worse for contac… 'N' stands for neutral. 3. However, if you dont understand what Visine is and how it works, you may be unaware that it could actually be causing more harm than good to your eyes and their symptoms. "Your eyes can become less responsive to Visine over time, causing your blood vessels to dilate more and therefore causing your eyes to be more red." So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects. Thank you! Redness in your eyes can be caused by swollen and congested blood … For those suffering from red and sore eyes due to allergies, Opcon-A has had very good results for some people. Dr. Tammi Schlichtemeier answered. Opcon, and primary eye care used in all Visine drops is Benzalkonium (... Turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content like a simple problem if your.. 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