Formerly OcuHist, Now Visine-A
Written: Aug 12 '01 (Updated Aug 17 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It really helps relieve itchy eyes!
Cons: It stings slightly. Can only use them 4 times a day.
The Bottom Line: Take it from an allergy sufferer, Visine-A really relieves those bothersome itchy eyes!
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| elzora's Full Review: Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops |
Seasonal Allergies Are The Pits
I have suffered with seasonal allergies for 25 years. I am allergic to grass, trees and weeds. My husband jokingly tells me and our friends that I am allergic to summer, and he's right! For those of us who are allergy sufferers, it is no laughing matter. For me, it starts when the cottonwood trees start to shed their white fluffy "snow" all through the air - and it ends in the fall with the grass going to seed. Basically, I suffer June-August! Most of my summer (I live in Alaska, and our summers are short).
Itchy Eyes
Besides the stuffy head, runny nose, and that irritating itching in my ears and throat, the most bothersome symptom for me is the itching eyes. I have had the whites of my eyes swell up from rubbing them. While my eyes feel temporary relief while they are being rubbed, as soon as I stop they hurt even more, and they get puffy and swollen. One way to get relief is to wash my eyes out with fresh water, and then lay a cold wash cloth over my eyes for a half hour. Obviously, that is not always easy, or convenient to do. I have tried plain old eye drops, and while they gave slight relief, (mainly from washing the pollen out of my eyes), they were not really very effective. Enter Visine-A (formerly OcuHist), made by Pfizer. I came across these one day while looking for some kind of remedy for my itching eyes, and gave them a try. I was intrigued because the bottle said these eye drops contained a antihistamine and decongestant. This was a new concept to me.
I snatched them up and began using them that day. They gave me almost immediate relief! The itching subsided and I could go on with life. I have noticed that after using them for several weeks straight they now sting and burn a bit when I put them in, but it is only for a moment. They give me relief from itchy eyes for two to three hours.
OcuHist vs. Visine-A
I originally started using OcuHist. This summer when I ran out and went to purchase more, (and subsequently count not find them), the pharmacist told me that they changed the name to Visine-A, still made by Pfizer.
The containers look identical, and the outside of the Visine-A box even reads "formerly OcuHist" - duh! I felt dumb!
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: pheniramine maleate 0.3%, naphazoline hydrochloride 0.025%.
Indications and Warnings
The container says that these drops are for children six years and older. They are for temporary relief of itchy eyes. They should only be used up to four times a day! (On bad days I usually need to use them more often than that). It says you may experience a mild tingling sensation, I only have this problem when I overuse them.
If any pain, changes in vision, or continued irritation continues, you are to stop using these drops and see your Dr.
Store between 50 and 77 degrees F, 15-25 degrees C.
A Tip For Putting In Eye Drops
One last note about eye drops. I hate putting drops in my eyes, if you do as well, try this technique: with your eyes closed, put one drop in the corner of your eye, then open your eyes and turn your head slightly, the drop will gently run into your eye. This is a much more pleasant way to administer these, especially to kids.
Recommended:
Yes
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