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glycerin / naphazoline

Generic Clear Eyes Redness Relief
Used for Eye Inflammation
Used for Eye Inflammation

Clear Eyes Redness Relief is an over-the-counter (OTC) eye drop medication that contains two active ingredients: naphazoline (an alpha agonist) and glycerin (a lubricant). The eye drops relieve eye redness from minor irritations. They're also used to relieve dry eye and prevent further eye irritation. The typical dosage is 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) up to 4 times a day. Although side effects aren't common, Clear Eyes Redness Relief can cause more eye redness if it's used for more than 3 days.

Note: There are many OTC products under the brand name "Clear Eyes" that might contain different ingredients. Read the package directions carefully before using.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Ally Tsai, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 21, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Clear Eyes Redness Relief?

What is Clear Eyes Redness Relief used for?

  • Short-term relief of eye symptoms, such as:

    • Eye redness due to minor eye irritations

    • Eye burning and irritation due to dry eye

  • Protection against further eye irritation

How Clear Eyes Redness Relief works

Clear Eyes Redness Relief is a combination of two active ingredients.

  • Naphazoline is an alpha agonist. It works by tightening the blood vessels in your eyes. This helps to relieve eye redness and irritation.

  • Glycerin is an eye lubricant. It helps keep the eye moist to prevent and relieve dry eye and eye irritation.

Are you looking for information on naphazoline eye drops instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsClear Eyes Redness Relief, Careone Maximum Strength Redness Relief
Drug Class Alpha agonist / Lubricant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
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What are the side effects of Clear Eyes Redness Relief?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Side effects aren't common. See Other Side Effects.

Other Side Effects

  • Dilated pupils
  • Eye redness

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Vision changes
  • Eye pain
  • Worsening eye symptoms

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Clear Eyes Redness Relief

thumbs-up

Pros

Available as a lower-cost generic medication

Combines two active ingredients into one eye drop for convenience; helps with dry eye and eye redness at the same time

Generally well-tolerated

thumbs-down

Cons

Might need to use multiple times a day for relief

Only recommended for short-term relief of minor eye irritation

Might worsen eye redness if used for a long period of time

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Clear Eyes Redness Relief

pharmacist

  • Only use Clear Eyes Redness Relief for your eyes.

    • Always wash your hands with soap and water before you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops. Also don't let the tip of the bottle touch the eye or other surfaces. This helps prevent germs from spreading to your eyes and lower your risk for eye infection.

      • Don't use Clear Eyes Redness Relief if the solution inside the bottle changes color or becomes cloudy. The eye drops might be contaminated with bacteria or other germs, which means it's not safe to use because of the risk for eye infection.

        • Make sure to take your contact lenses out before each time you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops. There's a preservative in the eye drops that can damage your contact lenses. Wait 10 to 15 minutes to put your contacts back in after you use the eye drops.

          • How to use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops: Pull down your lower eyelid with one hand and hold the bottle upside down with the other. Tilt your head back and squeeze 1 drop into your affected eye. Then, close your eye and press your finger on the corner of your eye closest to your nose for 1 minute. Repeat these steps for your other eye, if needed.

            • Don't use Clear Eyes Redness Relief more often than what's directed on the package. Overusing this medication can raise the risk of more eye redness.

              • You can use Clear Eyes Redness Relief with other eye drop medications. But wait 3 to 5 minutes in between each eye drop medication to use the next medication. This gives enough time for each eye medication to get absorbed properly into your eye(s).

                • Clear Eyes Redness Relief can cause your pupils to dilate (or widen), but it's temporary. Stop using the eye drops and talk to an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience eye discomfort that doesn't go away or gets worse.

                  • Stop using Clear Eyes Redness Relief and contact an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you have dry eye, eye irritation, or eye redness that gets worse or lasts for more than 3 days. Also stop using the eye drops and call an eye specialist if you have any eye pain or vision changes. These can be symptoms of a more serious eye condition that requires medical attention.

                    • Keep Clear Eyes Redness Relief up and away and out of children's reach and sight. Always put the eye drops away every time you use it. This prevents children from accidentally swallowing any medication that's left out. Call a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if a child might’ve accidentally swallowed the medication, even if you aren't completely sure.

                      faqs

                      Frequently asked questions about Clear Eyes Redness Relief

                      Is it bad to use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops everyday?
                      Using Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops every day for a long period of time can worsen eye redness. Make sure to stop using Clear Eyes Redness Relief and talk to your optometrist, ophthalmologist, or primary care provider (PCP) if your eye irritation or eye redness doesn't go away or if it worsens after you use the eye drops for 3 days. Also contact an eye specialist if you have any eye pain or changes in vision. These can be symptoms of a more serious eye condition.
                      Is Clear Eyes Redness Relief bad for your eyes?
                      Don't use Clear Eyes Redness Relief without talking to an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you have a history of high eye pressure or glaucoma (especially narrow-angle glaucoma). This is because Clear Eyes Redness Relief can cause your pupils to open up, which can make your eye pressure go up. It's possible for Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops to worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. In addition, using Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops for longer than 3 days can make eye redness get worse.
                      Can you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops with contacts?
                      No. Make sure to take your contact lenses out before each time you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops. The eye drops have a preservative in them that can absorb into soft contact lenses and cause damage. Wait 10 to 15 minutes after you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops before you put your contacts back in.
                      Can kids use Clear Eyes Redness Relief?
                      Don't put Clear Eyes Redness Relief into your child's eye without speaking to their optometrist or pediatrician. It's not clear whether these eye drops are safe or if they work well for children. Be sure to keep Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops out of reach from children so that they don't accidentally swallow the solution. The FDA warns that children who've accidentally swallowed the solution have experienced dangerous side effects, such as slow heart rate, shallow breathing, and sleepiness. Call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if your child might’ve accidentally swallowed the medication.
                      Can you overuse Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops?
                      Yes, you can overuse Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops. Don't use the eye drops for more than 3 days without speaking to your optometrist or ophthalmologist about your symptoms. Overusing Clear Eyes Redness Relief might cause your eyes to become redder. Ask your eye specialist, primary care provider, or pharmacst for alternative options if your eye redness, dry eye, or eye irritation doesn't improve or worsens after 3 days of using Clear Eyes Redness Relief.
                      How long do the effects of Clear Eyes Redness Relief last for red eyes?
                      Typically, one application of Clear Eyes Redness Relief help improve eye redness for up to 8 hours. Don't use Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops more than 4 times a day to prevent side effects, such as rebound eye redness.
                      How to prevent overuse of Clear Eyes Redness Relief?
                      If your eye redness and eye irritation are from allergies, you can try alternating between different allergy eye drops for symptom relief to prevent overusing Clear Eyes Redness Relief. For example, you can purchase Zaditor (ketotifen) over the counter. You can also ask your optometrist or primary care provider (PCP) about prescription medications, like azelastine eye drops, for minor eye irritation from allergies. Make sure you don't use multiple allergy eye drops at once without speaking to your optometrist or PCP. Follow up with an eye specialist if your eye symptoms don't improve after a while.
                      Is Clear Eyes Redness Relief the same as Visine?
                      No, Clear Eyes Redness Relief and Visine aren't the same medication, but they're both used to relieve eye redness due to minor eye irritations. Visine Red Eye Comfort contains tetrahydrozoline, which is an alpha agonist, similar to naphazoline in Clear Eyes Redness Relief. While both products don't contain the exact same ingredients, they have similar warnings. For example, avoid using these eye drops for longer than 3 days to lower your risk for more eye redness. Keep in mind that both "Clear Eyes" and "Visine" are a line of branded products, so review the active ingredient list and directions on the package.
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                      What are the risks and warnings for Clear Eyes Redness Relief?

                      Clear Eyes Redness Relief can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                      risk-warning

                      Worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma

                      • Risk factors: History of narrow-angle glaucoma | Overusing Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops

                        Clear Eyes Redness Relief can cause your pupil to widen for a brief period of time after you use the eye drops. This can sometimes lead to higher pressure in the eye. A rise in eye pressure can be a problem for people with narrow-angle glaucoma, which is a condition that blocks fluid from draining in your eye and causes high eye pressure. Ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist before you use Clear Eyes Redness Relief if you have high eye pressure or a history of glaucoma.

                        risk-warning

                        Overuse of Clear Eyes Redness Relief eye drops

                        When Clear Eyes Redness Relief is used for too long, it can cause rebound eye redness (your eyes become redder from overusing the eye drops). Don't use Clear Eyes Redness Relief for more than 3 days without speaking to your optometrist or primary care provider.

                        risk-warning

                        Use only in your eyes

                        Use Clear Eyes Redness Relief in your eyes only. Don’t place the eye drops into your nose, mouth, or ears. Call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed the eye drop solution.

                        dosage

                        Clear Eyes Redness Relief dosage forms

                        Typical dosing for Clear Eyes Redness Relief

                        Note: Many manufacturers make these eye drops under different brand names and in different strengths. Follow the instructions for your product or talk with your optometrist or pharmacist about how to use the eye drops.

                        The typical dose is 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) up to 4 times a day.

                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Clear Eyes Redness Relief?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Clear Eyes Redness Relief. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Clear Eyes Redness Relief
                        Used for:

                        • Short-term relief of eye symptoms, such as:

                          • Eye redness due to minor eye irritations

                          • Eye burning and irritation due to dry eye

                        • Protection against further eye irritation

                        View Prices
                        Artificial Tears
                        Used for:

                        • Dry eyes

                        • Prevention of eye irritation

                        $7.61 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Freshkote Preservative Free
                        Used for:
                        $38.54 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Ahn, J., et al. (2021). Binding affinity of benzalkonium chloride on contact lens surfaces and the effects on their physical properties. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.

                        American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2024). Tips for administering eye drops.

                        Boyd, K. (2023). Redness-relieving eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

                        View All References (8)

                        Gudgel, D. T. (2023). How to put in eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

                        Hosten, L. O., et al. (2020). Over-the-counter ocular decongestants in the United States - Mechanisms of action and clinical utility for management of ocular redness. Clinical Optometry.

                        Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Visine Red Eye Comfort- tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride solution/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Mukamal, R. (2024). Choosing the best lubricant eye drops for dry eyes. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

                        Opto-Pharm Pte Ltd. (2017). Eye drops- glycerin solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (2023). Clear Eyes Redness Relief- naphazoline hydrochloride and glycerin liquid; Clear Eyes Redness Relief Handy Pocket Pal- naphazoline hydrochloride and glycerin liquid [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016). FDA drug safety communication: Serious adverse events from accidental ingestion by children of over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays.

                        Whitman, J. (2019). Should patients with severe glaucoma allow their eyes to be dilated during exam? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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