What are eye-whitening drops?
Eye-whitening drops are special eye drops that can make the whites of your eyes look whiter and brighter. They don't bleach or dye your eyes, but they can "whiten" them by reducing redness and adding moisture.
Most of the time, the term "eye-whitening drops" is just another name for redness-relieving drops. These products work by temporarily narrowing blood vessels in the surface of your eyes.
Eye doctors typically only recommend using these eye drops occasionally. Long-term use can make the medicine less effective and even worsen redness. This is a side effect called rebound redness.
You can buy most whitening eye drops over the counter without a prescription.
Like with other medications, these drops may not be for everyone. Be sure to follow the directions included with the product and talk to your eye doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
How eye-whitening drops work
Most eye-brightening drops "whiten" your eyes by making them look less red and irritated. They do this by adding decongestant medications into the drops.
In eye drops, decongestants are used to narrow blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the thin layer covering the white part of your eye (the sclera). This effect is called vasoconstriction. The narrower the blood vessels, the whiter your eyes appear.
Common medications
Today, most over-the-counter eye-whitening drops include one of these decongestant medications:
- Naphazoline
- Tetrahydrozoline
- Brimonidine
Naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline are the more "traditional" medications used to whiten your eyes. They both work by shrinking small blood vessels along the eye's surface.
Brimonidine is a newer addition that was originally (and still is) used to treat glaucoma with a much higher dosage.
Brimonidine works differently than the other two medications. It targets small veins along the surface instead of small arteries. This helps whiten your eyes with a lower risk of rebound redness. However, this risk is still not completely eliminated.
Other ingredients
Many whitening eye drops also include one or more lubricants to help hydrate your eyes. This helps soothe the irritation and dryness that can cause redness. Lubricants are also found in artificial tears.
Over-the-counter allergy eye drops are also available. Most use antihistamine medication to block the histamine receptors that lead to itchy eyes and watery eyes in people with eye allergies. If you believe allergies are causing your red eyes, this type of drop may be a good option for you.
Some products combine an antihistamine with a decongestant.
Popular eye-whitening drops
Several companies sell eye drops that whiten your eyes by relieving redness. Here are five popular brands:
Lumify
Low-dose brimonidine is the active ingredient in Lumify eye drops. This is the newer ingredient that limits rebound redness after the brightening effect wears off.
Current product offerings include:
- Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops
- Lumify Preservative Free Redness Reliever Eye Drops
Visine
Visine drops use tetrahydrozoline to brighten the whites of your eyes. Current Visine whitening drops include:
- Red Eye Comfort
- Red Eye Hydrating Comfort
- Red Eye Total Comfort Multi-Symptom
- A.C. Itchy Eye Relief
Rohto
Some Rohto eye drops use naphazoline to make your eyes look whiter. They are:
- Optic Glow
- Max Strength
- Cool Relief
These Rohto drops contain tetrahydrozoline instead:
- Digi Eye
- All-In-One
Clear Eyes
Clear Eyes drops rely on a few different ingredients. Some Clear Eyes whitening drops use naphazoline:
- Redness Relief
- Maximum Redness Relief
- Cooling Comfort
The Triple Relief drops use tetrahydrozoline. Another product, Sensitive Eyes, uses a less common decongestant called phenylephrine.
Advanced Eye Relief
Advanced Eye Relief uses naphazoline. The brand has two brightening products:
- Redness
- Maximum Redness
Other brands
The products listed above are some of the most well-known, but they aren't the only brands that sell whitening eye drops.
Stores like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart sell their own generic eye-brightening drops. These often contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name drops, but exact formulations can vary.
Some products combine allergy- and redness-related ingredients in one product. Popular brands include:
- Naphcon-A
- Opcon-A
- Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action
Note that products and formulations can change, so be sure to check the packaging any time you buy new eye drops.
Risks and side effects to watch for
Whitening drops are medicated so they should always be used with care. Keep these potential issues in mind so you can respond accordingly:
Rebound redness and irritation
Rebound redness is one of the main risks of using eye-whitening drops too often. This is when the medication becomes less effective and your eyes get redder than before. For this reason, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends using these drops for no more than 72 hours (three days) in a row.
Most over-the-counter whitening drops contain preservatives. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is the most commonly used preservative, found in around 70% of eye drops (and not just whitening drops). Multidose formulas use preservatives to prevent bacterial contamination and keep the drops sterile for a longer period of time.
But if you use these drops too frequently, the preservatives can have adverse — even toxic — effects on your cornea (the clear front covering of your eye) and other parts of the ocular surface.
Some people may experience temporary side effects after applying whitening drops. If the effects resolve quickly, they usually aren't cause for concern:
- A stinging sensation
- Slightly blurred vision
However, you should talk to your eye doctor if the drops cause:
- Eye pain
- Lasting vision changes
- Redness that doesn't go away within 72 hours
- Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, itching or swelling of the face, mouth or tongue)
Masking eye conditions
There are many possible causes of red eyes. They range from mild irritation to serious conditions that can damage your vision if they aren't treated.
Causes of eye redness include:
- Infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Eye allergies
- Dry eyes
- Eye injuries and other trauma
- Eye inflammation, such as uveitis
Since whitening eye drops reduce redness, they may hide the symptom of a condition that needs medical attention. This could delay treatment, which could harm your eyes or eyesight. If you ever have concerns about your eye health, contact your eye doctor.
How to use eye-whitening drops safely
Remember to read and follow the instructions on the packaging — and any directions from your doctor — before you use eye-brightening drops.
Don't use the drops more often than you're supposed to. They contain medication and preservatives that can lead to rebound redness and other issues if you use them too much.
Most whitening drops should not be used more than four times a day. Avoid using them for longer than 72 hours in a row.
How to put in whitening eye drops
Check the packaging first, but you can generally follow these steps to safely administer the eye drops:
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them with a clean towel.
- Take out your contact lenses if you wear them.
- Remove the cap to the eye drops and make sure the bottle isn't damaged. Don't touch the dropper tip.
- Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
- Use one finger (either your index or middle finger) to gently pull your lower eyelid down. This creates a little "pocket" where the drops can go.
- With your other hand, hold the eye drop bottle upside down. Carefully squeeze the indicated number of drops into the eyelid "pocket" you made. Don't touch your eye with the dropper tip.
- Repeat for the other eye if needed.
- Close your eyes for at least one minute to let the medication work. Lightly press on the corners of your eyes near your nose to help the drops stay in your eyes.
Alternatives to eye-whitening drops
Whitening drops can be a temporary fix, but it's always important to address any underlying problems that could be causing your eye redness.
Speak with your eye doctor or primary care physician about lifestyle changes and other ways to whiten your eyes. They might recommend that you:
- Use preservative-free artificial tears
- Use a cool compress with your eyes closed
- Take more screen breaks and practice the 20-20-20 rule
- Take steps to get better sleep
- Practice good contact lens hygiene
- Wear glasses instead of contacts more often
- Take allergy medicine or use allergy eye drops
- Avoid allergy-related triggers as much as possible
- Avoid dust, smoke and other irritants
- Manage blepharitis, styes and other irritating conditions
Brighten your eyes the safe way
Eye-whitening drops can brighten your eyes once in a while, but they aren't meant to be used for long periods of time. An eye doctor can help make sure you're brightening your eyes in the safest possible way.
It's common for your eyes to get a little red from time to time, but redness can also be a sign of allergies, infections or other problems. Some of these issues should be diagnosed and treated by a professional.
- One or both of your eyes look extremely bloodshot
- Your eyes have been red for a long time
- You have thick eye discharge
- You notice changes in your vision
- Your eyes look yellow
- You're concerned about any other eye or vision symptoms
Your eye doctor will carefully examine your eyes to help you find out what's causing your symptoms.
