Visine

Products

In addition to its original formulation, Visine is available in several varieties of eye drops for different types of eye irritation. These include formulas with antihistamines for allergy-induced irritation, to moisturizing formulations for eye dryness. These formulations use active ingredients ranging from oxymetazoline to naphazoline. Some Visine products cater specifically to contact lens wearers or to those who require artificial tears.

Side effects

Adverse effects

Visine has been observed to cause stinging and burning upon application, and has a rebound effect that may cause eye redness to worsen. Prolonged use has been observed to cause blood vessels to be dilated for an extended period of time. Because of this risk, Visine usage has been recommended to be limited, unless specified by a doctor. Some formulations of Visine are not advised for contact lens wearers as the decreased blood flow to counter eye redness could further lower oxygen levels to the eye. Some Visine products are not recommended to be used by patients with glaucoma, since stimulation from lubrication can contribute to high pressure within the eye. Certain underlying health conditions that cause eye irritation are not able to be relieved by Visine and require prescription-grade eye drops.

Ingestion

A debunked urban legend claims that a few drops of Visine will cause harmless but debilitating bouts of explosive diarrhea, similar to a laxative. However, symptoms of Visine's active ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride can be severe, and can include:

• Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or cessation of breathing
• Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) followed by sudden low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Coma
• Seizures and tremors
• Death Oral ingestion of Visine warrants immediate medical attention or a call to a poison control center.

The film Wedding Crashers misrepresents the effects of Visine consumption which can be lethal.

Criminal use

There have been multiple high-profile murder cases that have been alleged to utilize Visine's active ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride as a poison. In 2018, a South Carolina nurse was accused of killing her husband by adding Visine to his drinks over a period of three days. In 2019, a North Carolina paramedic was similarly accused of murdering his wife, with Visine misuse asserted as the probable cause.

References

References

1. (June 26, 2006). "Johnson & Johnson buys Pfizer consumer unit".
2. (October 2, 1958). "Covina Argus from Covina, California".
3. (January 8, 1999). "Pfizer Launching Visine Tears for Dry, Irritated Eyes".
4. Saul, Stephanie. (June 27, 2006). "Johnson & Johnson Buys Pfizer Unit for $16.6 Billion". The New York Times.
5. (November 20, 2017). "6 Ways to Fix Your Bloodshot Eyes Without Visine".
6. Jacobi, Christina. (2012). "Prospective, randomized, controlled comparison of SYSTANE UD eye drops versus VISINE INTENSIV 1% EDO eye drops for the treatment of moderate dry eye". Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
7. "Visine L.R.: Package Insert / Prescribing Information".
8. "DailyMed - VISINE ALLERGY EYE RELIEF MULTI-ACTION- naphazoline hydrochloride and pheniramine maleate solution/ drops".
9. "Visine Tears Uses, Side Effects & Warnings".
10. (2005). "Effects of two eye drop products on computer users with subjective ocular discomfort". Optometry.
11. Nelson, Elizabeth Laura. (January 14, 2023). "What Happens When You Use Too Many Eye Drops?".
12. Zigler, Dr. Travis. (October 14, 2020). "Why You Should NEVER Use Visine or Cleareyes".
13. "Glaucoma - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic".
14. Starr, Katie. (July 23, 2013). "Nothing funny about so-called 'Visine prank,' says pharmacist {{!}} TheRecord.com". TheRecord.com.
15. "Tetrahydrozoline poisoning Information {{!}} Mount Sinai - New York".
16. Lee, Bruce Y.. "How Visine Eye Drops In The Mouth Can Kill, Here Are Two Cases".
17. "Woman pleads guilty to killing husband by lacing his water with eye drops". Sky News.
18. "Woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for poisoning husband's drinking water with eye drops". ABC News.
19. Banks, Michael. "Death by Visine? Man accused of killing wife via eye drops".