Eyedrops for allergic rhinitis

Examples

---

Over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Clear Eyes	naphazoline hydrochloride

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Visine	tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride

Over-the-counter antihistamine plus decongestant eyedrops

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Opcon-A Solution	naphazoline hydrochloride/pheniramine maleate

Prescription anti-inflammatory eyedrops

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Acular	ketorolac tromethamine

Prescription antihistamine eyedrops

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Elestat	epinastine hydrochloride

Mast cell stabilizers

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Crolom	cromolyn sodium

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Alomide	lodoxamide tromethamine

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Patanol	olopatadine

How It Works

---

Eyedrops relieve the eyes of redness, itching, and watering caused by allergies, or they reduce these symptoms.

Why It Is Used

---

You can use eyedrops for eye symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis.

How Well It Works

---

Eyedrops often provide prompt relief of itching and watering. How much relief you get depends on the type of eyedrops you use.

Side Effects

---

Side effects of eyedrops may include:

• Temporary stinging or burning of the eyes when you first apply the drops.
• Damage to contact lenses. You should not wear contacts while using eyedrops.

Ketorolac can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin. Ketorolac can also cause excess bleeding in people with bleeding disorders or who are on medicines such as aspirin that may also cause excess bleeding.

Do not use decongestant eyedrops more than 3 days in a row. Using these eyedrops for too long can cause congestion to occur when you are not having an allergic reaction. This effect is similar to the rebound congestion of nasal decongestant sprays.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

---

Avoid using eyedrops for a long period of time.

Do not use these types of eyedrops to treat a bacterial infection of the eye (conjunctivitis).

Cromolyn works more slowly than antihistamine eyedrops.

People who have narrow-angle glaucoma cannot use Opcon-A Solution, Naphcon-A Solution, and Vasocon-A Solution.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should talk to their doctors before using eyedrops.

Children cannot use all eyedrops. Talk with your doctor before using them on your child.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

---

Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
Last Updated	August 8, 2007