Visine

Visine is a brand of eye drops produced by Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson acquired Visine, along with Pfizer's entire consumer healthcare portfolio, in December 2006.

Visine Original

The active ingredients in the original Visine formulation are potassium chloride and tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride which is a vasoconstrictor, and therefore constricts the eye's superficial blood vessels to "get the red out", as claimed in Johnson & Johnson's advertising [1].

Administration

Visine is administered topically with 1 to 2 drops applied to the affected eye(s) up to 4 times daily [2].

Adverse effects

• Those using Visine Original frequently report stinging and burning upon application.

• Use of this product can cause a rebound effect causing the redness to worsen. Prolonged use can cause blood vessels to be dilated for an extended period of time. Use should be limited unless specified by a doctor.

• A red eye may often be indicative of more serious underlying ocular condition; simply reducing blood flow to the area won't solve the condition and may even exacerbate symptoms.

• These drops are also not advised for contact lens wearers because decreased blood flow to the surface of the eye will further lower the levels of oxygen available to the eye.

• Visine is not to be used by patients with Glaucoma since the production of more liquids only contributes to the problem of high pressure within the eye.

Visine prank myth

A common urban legend is that a few drops of Visine in an unsuspecting victim's drink will cause a harmless bout of diarrhea. This will not produce diarrhea, but oral administration of Visine can induce dangerous side effects related to Visine's ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride such as:

• Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty in breathing or even a complete halt in breathing
• Elevating (hypertension) then dropping (hypotension) blood pressure
• Possible coma
• Seizures and tremors

Pfizer recommends that anyone ingesting Visine get medical attention or contact a poison control center immediately.

Varieties

Currently, Visine is formulated in several varieties:

VISINE A.C. - Astringent/Redness Reliever Eye Drops (Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%, Zinc sulfate 0.25%)

• Special formula for allergens, such as ragweed, dust, or pollen.

VISINE FOR CONTACTS - For Silicone Hydrogel and Hydrophilic lenses

• Used primarily for comfort during the day, moistening upon awakening and before sleep.

VISINE L.R. (Oxymetazoline HCI 0.025%)

• A longer-lasting formula that lasts for up to 6 hours.

VISINE TEARS (Glycerin 0.2%, Hypromellose 0.2%, Polyethylene glycol 400 1% - Used AS NEEDED)

• See artificial tears.

VISINE-A (Formerly OCUHIST) (Naphazoline hydrochloride 0.025%, Pheniramine maleate 0.3%)

• Antihistamine combined with a vasoconstrictor for itchy eyes associated with allergy.

VISINE TOTALITY (Glycerin 0.2%, Hypromellose, 0.36% Polyethylene glycol 400 1.0% Tetrahydrozoline HCI, 0.05% Zinc sulfate 0.25%)

• Multi-Symptom Relief. Lubricant / Astrigent Redness Reliever Eye Drops (Relief for: red, burning, watery, itchy, gritty, dry, irritated eyes.)

External links

• Pfizer's Visine webpage
• Snopes reference