Visine is a brand name covering many formulations of eye drops. The main purpose of them is temporary treatment of eye redness and irritation. They aren’t for long-term use or certain conditions, and you shouldn’t wear contact lenses while using them. A healthcare provider can best guide you on how to use (or not use) these types of eye drops.
TETRAHYDROZOLINE (tet-ra-hye-DROZ-oh-leen) is a decongestant. It reduces redness in the eye caused by minor eye irritations.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Eye Drops, Geneye, Opti-Clear, Redness Reliever, Visine, Visine Red Eye Comfort
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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt the head back slightly and pull down the lower eyelid with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the drops into the pouch. Close the eye gently for a few moments to allow the drops to be in contact with the eye. Use your medicine at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be used in children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
Interactions are not expected. If you are using other eye drops with this medicine, separate the application of the different eye drops by roughly 5 minutes. This ensures that the eye drops do not interfere with each other. If you are using both eye drops and an eye ointment, use the eye drops 10 minutes before the eye ointment so that the eye ointment does not interfere with the action of the drops.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if your eye condition lasts longer than 72 hours, discontinue use and consult your health care professional.
To avoid contamination of this product, do not touch the tip of the container to any surface. Do not share this medicine with others. If the product changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use.
If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before putting the drops in your eyes.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Yes and no. Visine is a useful over-the-counter treatment for temporary eye dryness and irritation. But Visine is for temporary use only, and all Visine products available in the U.S. include a warning not to use it for more than 72 hours. If your symptoms last longer than that, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
And remember, there are many eye issues you shouldn’t use it for, so be sure to read the labels to make sure you’re using products for their intended use. Doing that can spare you from discomfort and worsening symptoms. If you have any questions about which of these products to use or avoid for your specific situation, it’s best to ask a healthcare provider for guidance.
No. There are multiple formulations of Visine, and you should remove your contact lenses before using any of them. The labels on all forms of Visine include instructions to take out your contacts first.
No, Visine isn’t something you should use for pink eye (conjunctivitis). They can cause more discomfort and even make your symptoms worse.
Artificial tear products are something you can use to help reduce your symptoms. But make sure you’re getting the right product. And remember that products that reduce eye redness (including many types of Visine) are NOT the same as artificial tears, so you shouldn’t use them interchangeably.
Visine is a brand name that applies to many products, including those that treat eye redness and irritation. These are over-the-counter remedies, but that doesn’t mean they’re always the best remedy for eye issues. The forms that treat eye redness can make some conditions like pink eye worse, so be sure to only use them according to the labels’ instructions. And when in doubt, ask a healthcare provider for guidance. They can tell you more about which products or treatments are best.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.
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