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