Visine Drops for Eye Allergies

If allergies make your eyes dry and itchy, you may be tempted to reach for Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Antihistamine and Redness Reliever Drops. The product is commonly known as Visine-A.

If you do use this product, pay attention to its claim to "provide temporary relief from red, itchy, allergy eyes." The key word is "temporary," meaning that Visine-A is not meant to be used for longer than several days at a time. 

This article describes the active ingredients in Visine-A and what they do. It also explains how to use the drops and some of the possible side effects.

How Visine-A Works

Visine-A, an over-the-counter product, treats red and itchy eyes associated with allergies caused by pollen, grass, ragweed, animal hair, and dander. It does this with two active ingredients: a decongestant and an antihistamine.

Specifically, Visine-A contains:

• Naphazoline: This decongestant works by tightening blood vessels in the eye, which reduces redness.
• Pheniramine maleate: This antihistamine reduces itchiness by inhibiting the chemicals (histamines) the body produces in response to allergens.

These ingredients can provide short-term relief for redness and itching. But beyond two or three days, these ingredients can cause side effects.

Other products contain tetrahydrozoline, which is sold as (regular) Visine. It also reduces eye redness by narrowing swollen blood vessels.

Side Effects

An important—and perhaps surprising—effect of Visine-A is that using it for more than two or three days in a row can actually trigger the same symptoms it's meant to treat.

This is known as a "rebound redness" effect. The naphazoline in the drops can cause eye swelling, redness, and irritation to worsen. The pheniramine maleate can make eyes overly dry. As a result, itching and irritation may get worse.

In addition, the antihistamine may cause sleepiness, dizziness, lack of coordination, or excitability. Oral sedating antihistamines frequently cause sleepiness, but eye drops with antihistamines like Visine-A are much less likely to cause this.

Visine-A may temporarily increase pupil size, which can cause increased light
sensitivity. You may also experience a brief tingling sensation after using the drops.

How to Use

Visine-A should not be used for more than three days in a row to avoid rebound symptoms.

If you use it, apply the recommended number of drops in the affected eye up to four times a day. Be sure to remove your contact lenses before using Visine-A.

Here's how to use the drops:

• Wash and dry your hands.
• Tilt your head back and look up.
• Gently pull down on the lower eyelid until you have formed a pocket.
• Hold the dropper directly over your eye and squeeze until the recommended number of drops fall into the pocket.
• Keep your eye closed for at least one minute.
• Press lightly on your tear duct (the corner of your eye) with your finger. This will keep the medication in your eye.

Wait about 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in.

Cautions

Due to the potential for light sensitivity with use, be cautious if using Visine-A before driving or performing tasks that require clear vision.

Before using the drops, check with your healthcare provider first if you have:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Problems urinating

People who have narrow-angle glaucoma (when the iris bows forward) should not use decongestant drops. They could develop angle-closure glaucoma, a serious medical emergency.

Seek emergency treatment immediately if you suddenly experience blurry vision, intense eye pain, red eye, or nausea.

Store this product out of reach of young children due to the risk of death or physical harm even with ingestion of small amounts.

Avoid Overuse

When topical decongestant eye drops such as Visine are used regularly, a physical dependence on the eye drops can develop. At the same time, the benefits dwindle the longer the drops are used.

In response to greater redness and swelling, some people use the eye drops more often. To stop this vicious cycle, use cold compresses or preservative-free, lubricating eye drops (artificial tears). Your eyes should improve within days.

Effective Options for Eye Allergy Symptom Relief

There are other choices for OTC eye drops for the treatment of eye allergies, including ketotifen, which is a topical antihistamine and mast-cell-stabilizing eye drop. This type of medication prevents the release of histamines, which contribute to allergies.

Ketotifen is marketed under the brands Zaditor, Alaway, Claritin Eye, Zyrtec Eye, and Visine All-Day Eye Itch Relief. It is also available in generic versions.

Summary

Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Antihistamine and Redness Reliever Drops is commonly known as Visine-A. It contains two active ingredients: naphazoline, a decongestant that reduces redness, and pheniramine maleate, an antihistamine that relieves itchiness.

Visine-A should be used for no more than two or three days in a row. Otherwise, it may set off the very symptoms it worked to relieve in the first place. This is known as a rebound effect. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or trouble urinating, check with your healthcare provider before using Visine-A.