PlanetRx - Learn More - Product Advice - Eye Drops & Treatments

Look out for your eyes

The eyes are vulnerable yet resilient. When a minor eye disorder occurs, your natural tear ducts can often take care of it. Eye drops and ointments can also be good from time to time. The important thing to remember in using over-the-counter products is that they're only recommended for use on a narrow field of eye conditions. There are "artificial tears" to relieve dryness, salt solutions for reducing swelling of the cornea, sterile saline washes to cleanse out foreign bodies, and astringents to soothe minor eye irritations. Eye drops and ointments are only temporary solutions, and if any eye problem persists, it's important to see a physician. Ophthalmologists are specialists who may just be your eyes' best friends.

Drop by Drop

Some eye problems cannot be treated with over-the-counter eye preparations. You should consult your physician immediately if you have any of the following conditions:

Embedded foreign objects
Eye infections
Inflammation of the iris known as uveltis
Glaucoma
Flash burns
Tearduct infections
Corneal sores or ulcers caused by microorganisms

Drops may temporarily blur your vision. If you are experiencing blurred vision, simply decreasing the amount of medication used often eliminates the blurring.
If symptoms last longer than 72 hours, discontinue using eye care products and contact your physician.
Some people are allergic to the preservatives in drops. If your eyes become red and itchy you may have to discontinue use of the medication. Alternatively, you may want to use a preservative-free emollient -- especially if you require long-term treatment for chronically dry eyes.
Overuse of drops containing decongestants may cause a rebound effect similar to rebound congestion in your nose. Basically, the decongestant no longer works in your eyes and your blood vessels swell up (sometimes more than when you starting using the medication). This leads to tearing and suffering for you. So avoid rebounding on your decongestant: use it only as necessary and not more frequently than indicated on the package.

Confronting Conjuctivitis

If you have mucusy or watery discharge from your eye accompanied by inflammation of the eyelid or reddening of your eye, you might have conjunctivitis. This discharge is generally seen in the morning when you awake.
Conjunctivitis may be caused by a virus, bacteria, or seasonal allergy.
You need to be concerned if it is bacterial conjunctivitis because it may cause permanent eye damage.
If you have conjunctivitis or its symptoms with no improvement or worsening of the symptoms after three days, this is a warning sign. Consult a physician.

Vasoconstrictors

Vasoconstrictors (also called decongestants) help make redness in the eyes go away. They work by constricting the eye's blood vessels. Typical vasoconstrictors include phenylephrine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline, and oxymetazoline. Be cautious, though -- overuse can cause a rebound effect in which the redness returns; the only way to remedy this it to stop treatment.

Astringents

Astringents are agents that dry tissues. They act by clearing mucus and other substances from the eye surface. The ones used in eye drops are very weakly formulated to prevent irritation. While they offer some relief, they cannot cure the underlying condition causing the pain and irritation.

Antihistamines

Ophthalmic antihistamines are substances that help with symptoms of seasonal conjunctivitis or pinkeye. The most common antihistamine in eye drops is pheniramine maleate. Interestingly, this agent is more effective when used in combination with a decongestant, such as naphazoline. Antihistamines reduce inflammation by blocking histamine from binding to its receptor.

Demulcents

Demulcents serve to coat, moisten, and lubricate the eyes. Though demulcents comprise only a small portion of drops, they help hold moisture on the eye. They are relatively inert substances.

Ingredient		Description
Vasoconstrictors
Phenylephrine		Effectively whitens eyes that have been exposed to irritating substances, but can cause rebound congestion of the conjunctiva.
Naphazoline		Helps remove the red in swimmers' eyes caused by chlorine. At concentrations over 0.03%, it can dilate the pupils.
Tetrahydrozoline		Effectively relieves conjunctivitis caused by allergies and other irritants. It rarely dilates healthy pupils and has not caused rebound conjunctivitis.
Oxymetazoline		Relieves burning, itching, tearing, foreign-body sensation, and other symptoms of allergies and noninfectious conjunctivitis. It is relatively free of side effects.
Astringents
Ingredient		Description
Zinc sulfate		Often combined with a vasoconstrictor. Very safe and effective. Few side effects or irritation.
Antihistamines
Ingredient		Description
Pheniramine		Common side effects are burning, stinging, and discomfort on administration. Slightly less irritating to the eye than antazoline.
Antazoline		Common side effects include burning, stinging, and discomfort on administration.
Demulcents
Ingredient		Description
Cellulose derivatives		Include carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose. Effective with no known adverse reactions.
Dextran 70		Produced by bacteria grown on sucrose (table sugar), it's chemically inactive. While rated safe and effective, it may produce temporary stinging or blurred vision.
Gelatin		A naturally occuring polymer. Safe and effective when combined with other polymeric demulcents.
Liquid polyols		These compounds include polyethylene glycols, glycerin, polysorbate 80, and propylene glycol. Safe and effect demulcents, they are commonly used as bases for drugs and cosmetics. These drugs have few side effects and coat surfaces well.
Polyvinyl alcohol		A safe product that is less viscous than other artificial tear substances. Helps stabilize the tear film without causing irritation.
Povidone		An inactive ingredient, it is safe and effective for soothing and lubricating dry eyes.

FDA-Approved Uses

Decongestants

Relieves redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.

Demulcents

For the temporary relief of burning and eye irritation due to dryness of the eye, minor irritations, or exposure to wind and sun.

For use as a protectant and lubricant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye.

Relieves redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.

Note: Please discuss using these products with your pharmacist before use.

Proper Techniques for Using Eye Drops

Before you put any drops in your eye, check to ensure that the solution has not become cloudy or discolored.
Wash your hands thoroughly to remove dirt and germs.
Tilt your head backwards so that you are looking up.
Using one hand, gently pull your lower eyelid away from the eye.
With your other hand, place the dropper directly over your eye and look at the tip.
Roll your eyes back and add one to two drops of solution.
Look down for several seconds without moving your head.
Let go of your eyelid and close your eyes for one to two minutes. Try not to blink or touch your eye during this time.
Put a little pressure on the tear duct on the inside corner of your eye (by your nose).
Blot excess fluid from your eye. Do not wipe or rub as this can further irritate your eyes.
Repeat for your other eye if necessary.
Most products should not be used more than four times per day or every six hours.

Warnings

Consult a physician before use or do not use if you have:

Any eye disease, damage, or infection
Allergy to any antihistamine or any other component of drops

Or if you:

Experience eye irritation, blurred vision, or dilation of pupils
Have contaminated the product or believe the product is contaminated
Have symptoms that do not improve after treatment
See that the product has become cloudy or changed color
Use for more than three or four days

Antihistamines

If you are taking:

Alcohol: increases antihistamine side effects
CNS depressants, such as:

Diazepam (Valium): increases antihistamine side effects
Phenobarbital (Luminal): increases antihistamine side effects

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a class of antidepressants), such as:

Phenelzine (Nardil): increases antihistamine side effects
Tranylcypromine (Parnate): increases antihistamine side effects

Other antihistamines: increases antihistamine effects

Decongestants

If you are taking:

Anesthetics, such as:

Cyclopropane: may increase decongestant absorption and effects
Halothane: may increase decongestant absorption and effects

Beta-blockers, such as:

Atenolol (Tenormin): may increase decongestant effects
Metoprolol (Lopressor): may increase decongestant effects

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a class of antidepressants), such as:

Phenelzine (Nardil): increases decongestant effects
Tranylcypromine (Parnate): increases decongestant effects

Phenothiazines, such as:

Perphenazine (Trilafon): may reduce decongestant effects
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine): may reduce decongestant effects

Reserpine: may increase decongestant side effects
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as:

Amitriptyline (Elavil): may increase decongestant side effects
Nortriptyline (Pamelor): may increase decongestant side effects

Common Side Effects

There are no common side effects anticipated when used as directed.

Infrequent to Rare Side Effects

Antihistamines

Allergic reaction
Burning sensation in the eye
Stinging sensation in the eye

Decongestants

Eye irritation
Blurred vision
Nervousness
Headache
Dilated pupils

Demulcents

Blurred vision
Dilated pupils
Eye irritation

Effects of Overdose

These products have no anticipated effects of overdose.

It's For Your Eye, Not Your Stomach

For external use only. If swallowed, immediately seek medical attention.