Visine 0.5 mg/ml eye drops (tetryzoline) – for eye redness and irritation not caused by infection

Visine eye drops are a medicine containing the active substance tetryzoline (tetryzoline hydrochloride, 0.5 mg in 1 ml of solution). Tetryzoline is a sympathomimetic from the group of adrenomimetics used as decongestants – it narrows the blood vessels of the white of the eye and so reduces eye redness within a few minutes.

Visine is used for temporary relief of eye redness and irritation that is not caused by infection but by irritants – e.g. smoke, dust, wind, chlorinated water, bright light or allergic inflammation (hay fever). The effect starts within a few minutes and lasts 4 to 8 hours. The medicine is intended only for mild eye irritation and short-term use.

When do Visine eye drops help and how should they be applied correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Visine eye drops used for?

According to the summary of product characteristics, Visine is used for temporary decongestion of the eye surface in eye irritation of non-infectious origin, which may be caused by:

• smoke, dust or wind;
• chlorinated water (e.g. after swimming);
• bright light;
• allergic eye inflammation (hay fever, seasonal allergy).

Visine does not treat the cause of the redness – it has no effect on bacterial or viral infection, a foreign body in the eye or chemical damage to the cornea. Such conditions require urgent medical advice.

How is it used and dosed?

How to apply the drops:

• Wash your hands. Before first use remove the protective wrapper completely and screw the cap on firmly – the spike in the cap pierces the tip of the bottle.
• Open the bottle, tilt your head back and gently pull the lower eyelid down.
• Put 1 to 2 drops into the pocket between the eye and the lower lid. Do not touch the eye or eyelid with the dropper tip.
• If symptoms persist after 2 days, stop use and see a doctor. Use for longer than 5 days should be under medical supervision.
• After first opening, the bottle can be used for up to 28 days. If the solution changes colour or becomes cloudy, it must not be used.

Contact lenses: lenses should generally not be worn while the eye is irritated and red. If wearing hard lenses is exceptionally allowed, remove them before applying the drops and put them back no sooner than 15 minutes later. The preservative benzalkonium chloride discolours soft contact lenses – avoid contact of the medicine with soft lenses.

Special patient groups

• Children: in children under 12 only under medical supervision; in children under 6 the medicine is contraindicated. There is a risk of overdose from swallowing the medicine, especially in newborns and infants.
• Glaucoma: in narrow-angle glaucoma the medicine must not be used; in other types of glaucoma only with special caution and medical supervision.
• Dry eye: use is not recommended in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) or rhinitis sicca.
• Higher doses and longer use: only under medical supervision.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Visine eye drops must not be used by people:

• hypersensitive to tetryzoline or any of the excipients;
• with narrow-angle glaucoma;
• with severe cardiovascular disease (e.g. coronary heart disease, hypertension);
• with phaeochromocytoma;
• with prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate);
• with metabolic disorders (e.g. hyperthyroidism, diabetes, porphyria);
• taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) or other medicines that may raise blood pressure;
• children under 6 years.

Precautions and warnings

• Eye inflammation or redness is often a sign of serious eye disease – if you are unsure of the cause, seek an ophthalmologist's advice.
• If there is no improvement within 48 hours or irritation and redness get worse, stop use and see a doctor.
• Irritation caused by infection, a foreign body in the eye or chemical damage to the cornea requires urgent medical advice.
• With severe eye pain, headache, loss of vision, spots in the field of vision, severe or one-sided redness, pain on exposure to light or double vision, see a doctor immediately.
• Prolonged and incorrect use of doses higher than recommended may cause reactive hyperaemia – rebound redness of the eye.
• The medicine may cause temporary dilation of the pupil (mydriasis).
• Improper handling of the bottle can lead to bacterial contamination of the solution and serious eye infection.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

Using Visine at the same time as MAO inhibitors (e.g. tranylcypromine), tricyclic antidepressants or medicines that raise blood pressure may strengthen the vasoconstrictive effect and increase blood pressure, so these combinations should be avoided. If you use other eye drops as well, ask your pharmacist about the order and interval between applications.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There are no data on whether the medicine crosses the placenta or passes into breast milk. Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be avoided because of possible systemic side effects; pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before use.

Driving and using machines

Visual disturbance after use is unlikely. If temporary blurred vision or increased glare occurs, do not drive or use machines until your vision returns to normal.

Possible side effects

• Common: reactive hyperaemia (rebound redness), burning and dryness of the eye surface; systemic effects such as palpitations, headache, tremor, weakness, sweating and raised blood pressure.
• Rare: dilation of the pupil (mydriasis).
• Very rare: keratinisation of the conjunctival epithelium (xerosis) with blocked tear ducts and watery eyes, after longer use of tetryzoline.
• Not known: blurred vision, conjunctival irritation, burning of the eye and the area around the eyes, redness, swelling, pain and itching.

The frequency, type and severity of side effects in children are considered the same as in adults. Report any suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose and accidental swallowing: excessive systemic absorption of tetryzoline may cause dilated pupils, nausea, bluish skin, fever, convulsions, fast or irregular heartbeat, raised blood pressure, pulmonary oedema, breathing and mental disturbances, and in children depression of the central nervous system – drowsiness, low body temperature, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, stopped breathing and coma. As little as 0.01 mg of tetryzoline per kilogram of body weight is considered a toxic dose. If the medicine is swallowed, seek medical help immediately.
• Missed dose: the medicine is used as needed, 2 to 3 times a day; do not apply extra drops to make up for a missed application.
• Stopping: if symptoms do not settle within 2 days, stop use and see a doctor.

Related information

• How to cure conjunctivitis and what is this disease?
• Artificial tears – when to use them and which are the best?

For additional care and support with red and irritated eyes, see also the Artificial Tears – Eye Drops for Dry, Tired and Irritated Eyes category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substance: tetryzoline hydrochloride, 0.5 mg in 1 ml of solution.
• Excipients: benzalkonium chloride solution (0.2 mg of 50% solution per ml), sodium chloride, boric acid, sodium borate, disodium edetate, purified water.
• Appearance: clear, colourless solution.
• Pack: clear LDPE dropper bottle containing 15 ml, with a screw cap or child-resistant cap, in a carton with a leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder: NELT CO. DOO BEOGRAD (according to the ALIMS list of non-prescription medicines, July 2026); manufacturer: JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA N.V., Beerse, Belgium.
• Authorisation number: 515-01-04759-21-001 dated 02.12.2022.

Storage

• Store below 30 °C.
• Shelf life unopened: 3 years; after first opening: 28 days.
• Do not use if the solution changes colour or becomes cloudy.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I use Visine drops?

Without medical advice, no longer than 2 days. If redness and irritation persist or get worse, stop use and see a doctor. Use for longer than 5 days is only under medical supervision.

Does Visine help with conjunctivitis?

It does not treat infection. Visine is intended for eye redness of non-infectious origin (smoke, wind, chlorinated water, allergy). With pus-like discharge, stuck-together eyelids or pain, see a doctor.

Can I wear contact lenses with Visine?

Lenses should not be worn while the eye is irritated and red. Benzalkonium chloride discolours soft lenses, so contact of the medicine with soft lenses should be avoided. Hard lenses, if exceptionally allowed by a doctor, should be put back no sooner than 15 minutes after applying the drops.

Can Visine be used in children?

Not in children under 6. In children aged 6 to 12 only under medical supervision. Accidental swallowing of the drops can be dangerous for small children.

Why is my eye even redder after longer use?

Prolonged or too frequent use of doses higher than recommended can cause reactive hyperaemia – rebound redness. Stop using it and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Visine®, 0.5 mg/ml, eye drops, solution (revision December 2022)
• ALIMS – List of medicines dispensed without a prescription (July 2026)

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.