# Why does Visine make my eyes sting?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 16, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001 "2003-09-16T20:36:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001/1 "2003-09-16T20:36:07Z")

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When my eyes are especially red and irritated (when I get out of the swimming pool and my eyes look like I’ve been smoking doob after doob because of the all the chlorine) and I put Visine in them, they sting like a sumbitch for a few seconds. What is the source of the stinging?

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001/2 "2003-09-18T03:21:22Z")

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You [_could_ have an alergic reaction to something in the product. If the stinging dissipates and you have no further problem, I’d not be too concerned. But I’m not a doc. The manufacturer’s site might help you. Send them an email.  
[http://www.pfizer.com/chc/visine/vtanswerf.htm](http://www.pfizer.com/chc/visine/vtanswerf.htm)

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**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001/3 "2003-09-18T04:27:49Z")

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I’ll lay odds that it’s the preservative. When I had my Lasik surgery, they made a point to tell me that I should use preservative-free eyedrops for a good while. The preservative-free drops don’t “keep” long after you open the package, and they’re a bit pricier, but they’re quite soothing.

You might cruise by your optometrist’s office, see if they have a free sample pack.

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**Author:** ![Zhen\_ka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zhen\_ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zhen_ka)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-visine-make-my-eyes-sting/202001/4 "2003-09-18T06:03:55Z")

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My ex is an optometrist. He’s always said that Visine is the worst thing to put in your eyes. He recommends those “fake tears” drops (the saline kind) if your eyes are dry.

If irritation persists, you should have a chat with your OD.

If you don’t have one, walk-ins are pretty cheap at local retailers (like Wal-Mart).

Ditto on the free sample thing. My ex is many things, but he was always good at giving out the samples!

Good luck.