Child Suffering From Allergy. Got Itchy Eye While On Visine. Will This Cause Damage To Eye?

Posted on Tue, 12 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 Answered on

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi my 3 year old grandson suffers from allergies. We give him Dimetapp cold and allergy but it does not always adequately address the itch eyes. Will Visine A damage his eyes?

Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (7 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for the query.

Allergies are provoke by allergens that cause the allergy. The gold standard of treatment is the identification and prevention of contact with such allergens.

Visine A is an anti allergic drug and like all drugs, it has its side effects as well. It will help in the itchy eyes as well in redness if present. Common side effects include rash, blurred vision and eye pain. However, the use of this drug during crises only will reduce side effects.

Hope I have answered your query.
If you have further clarifications, I will be ready to help.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Achuo Ascensius (10 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. More specifically, since the bottle does not suggest using it on children younger than 6, will this be o.k. to use in his eyes and how many times a day?
We live in Florida and even though we have had cooler weather, we still have many things in bloom and things that loom just because it is nature. We do try to prevent his contact with fish, and things of that nature, but most are impossible.

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (5 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing back.

You are right in that Visine A is contra-indicated in children under 6 years of age. This is so because one of the components of Visine A (naphazoline) can cause depression of the central nervous system leading to coma and very low body temperature. However, the prescription in children less than 6 years of age could be done under strict medical follow up which many doctors would rather not prefer.

In his case, it will be advisable you XXXXXXX a Pediatrician to prescribe within the locally available, relatively safer drugs and for instructions on how to use the medications prescribed. If the Pediatrician decides to prescribe Visine A, he or she will give you instructions with respect to his or her own method of follow up.

More importantly, you should keep on doing your best in preventing him from contact with the allergens.

Hope, I have answered your query.

If you do not need any further clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Best regards and hope this helps your grandson.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T