Knock Knock Eye: Over-the-Counter Redness Relievers: An Ophthalmologist’s Guide

Halloween is around the corner, so here is a little housekeeping. I open with the saga of my HOA fining me for window units during a 117°F Portland heat wave, including the time I taped a photo of Brad Pitt to one to make it “more beautiful.” Then our family’s Star Wars Halloween plan: I was going to hide inside an inflatable Jabba the Hutt until Kristin called me on it, so I’m compromising with a Jawa. After the break, the real news. The FDA just approved Brightly (Alcon’s apraclonidine 0.125%), the newest over-the-counter redness reliever. I walk through why Visine is the worst thing ever invented, why Lumify is still my go-to recommendation if you absolutely must use one, and why I’m cautious about Brightly, especially around kids. And a reminder: if your eye redness comes with any other symptom, don’t mask it. Go see an eye doctor. Takeaways: Visine’s tetrahydrozoline is a potent vasoconstrictor that causes rebound redness and chronic irritation, and ingesting it can cause life-threatening cardiovascular effects. Lumify (brimonidine 0.025%) has been the preferred over-the-counter option since 2017, but overuse can trigger allergic reactions that force patients to stop. Brightly (apraclonidine 0.125%), approved October 16, 2026, is Alcon’s new low-dose alpha agonist redness reliever indicated for ages 12 and up. Will remains cautious about Brightly for pediatric exposure risks, since full-dose apraclonidine can cause CNS depression in children. Age-related eye redness without associated symptoms generally doesn’t need treatment, but redness with burning, discharge, blurry vision, or light sensitivity should be evaluated by an eye doctor. — To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected] Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/content/glauc-to-me/⁠ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact. For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 As a proud FIGS Ambassador, visit https://WearFIGS.com and use code DrGFIRSTFIGS to shop, stay updated on new launches, and learn more about FIGS advocacy projects. Check out FIGS on social platforms: @wearfigs To learn more about Microsoft Dragon Copilot, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://aka.ms/knockknockhi ⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices