Lumify is the brand name of a drug called brimonidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that is indicated for use in the treatment of ocular redness. It works by selectively constricting the veins in the eye, thus reducing the chance of rebound redness.
This over-the-counter formulation was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on December 22nd, 2017. It is produced by Bausch&Lomb, a global eye health company.
Uses Of Brimonidine
It is the first OTC low-dose brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution that is used for the treatment of ocular redness, a condition which most often occurs due to dilated or swollen blood vessels. This makes the surface of the eye look bloodshot or red. Causes of eye redness include:
- dust;
- dry air;
- infection caused by viruses or bacteria;
- colds;
- elevated pressure inside the eye, usually caused by sudden, closed-angle glaucoma;
- exposure to the sun;
- inflammation which is caused by something other than an infection;
- coughing;
- allergic reactions.
In clinical studies, this medicine showed 95 percent symptom improvement after 60 seconds, and reduced redness for about 8 hours.
Brimonidine, the active ingredient in this OTC medicine, is already approved in higher doses as a prescription eye drop for the treatment of intraocular pressure reduction in glaucoma sufferers. Glaucoma is a condition which causes damage to the eye’s optic nerve and, over time, it usually gets worse.
Specialists are not entirely sure about what causes the pressure in the eye to increase, but they believe one or more of these factors may play a role:
- medications, like – corticosteroids;
- dilating eye drops;
- long-term use of steroid eye drops;
- a problem with the way the eyes developed, especially in babies and young children;
- previous eye surgery;
- eye injuries;
- inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uveitis);
- hypertension;
- poor blood flow to the optic nerve;
- restricted drainage in the eye.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose in adults and children ≥ 5 years is one drop in the affected eye(s) every 6 to 8 hours. This medicine should not be used more than 4 times per day.
Notes – if you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling this medicine into your eye(s). You may put your contact lenses back in about 15 minutes after using brimonidine.
If your health problems or symptoms do not get better, call your healthcare provider. If other similar medicines are being used, wait at least 10 minutes between using each product.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Lumify
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- upset stomach;
- dry eyes;
- nausea;
- blurred vision;
- irritation of the eyes;
- red eyes;
- redness of the eyelid;
- eye burning;
- muscle pain;
- dry nose;
- feeling like there is something in the eye(s);
- drowsiness;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- tiredness;
- dizziness;
- sensitivity to light;
- puffy eyes.
Rare side effects may include:
- eye pain;
- corneal staining;
- low blood pressure;
- eyelid swelling;
- increased sensitivity to light.
To be sure that this medicine is safe for you, it is important that your healthcare professional knows:
- if you have any problems with the way your kidneys work;
- if you have any problems with the way your liver works;
- if you wear soft contact lenses;
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of medicine;
- if you are taking or using any other medicines, including – prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal and complementary medicines;
- if you have a depressive illness;
- if you feel dizzy when you sit up or stand up quickly;
- if you have a blood circulation problem, like – Raynaud’s syndrome;
- if you have a blood vessel disorder;
- if you have a heart condition;
- if you are breastfeeding a baby;
- if you are pregnant.
Pregnancy
There are no conclusive studies regarding the safe use of this medicine during pregnancy, thus, if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant, contact your doctor before using this medicine. Also, it is not known if this medicine is secreted into breast milk, therefore, if you are breastfeeding contact your doctor to be sure that it is safe for your baby.
Alcohol
Because this drug can make you drowsy or dizzy, combining it with alcohol will only increase the side effects. In general, do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking any type of medicine.
Overdose
If you think there has been an overdose after using this medication, get medical care right away or call your poison control center.
Drug Interactions
This medicine may negatively interact with the following drugs:
- rasagiline;
- isocarboxazid;
- selegiline;
- linezolid;
- tranylcypromine;
- phenelzine;
- aspirin;
- procarbazine;
- balsalazide;
- selegiline transdermal;
- candesartan;
- sodium bicarbonate;
- amantadine.
Is It Addictive?
There is no addiction reported by individuals who take this medicine yet.
Storage
It is recommended to store this medicine at room temperature between 15-25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F) away from moisture and light. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Home Remedies For Ocular Redness
#1 Cold Compress
To get relief, dip a cotton cloth in the ice cold water and apply it around the eyes for five minutes. Repeat this process for a few times in a day until you notice a change.
#2 Rose Water
Washing the eyes with rose water is an effective remedy for ocular redness. You can wash your eye(s) at least 3 times per day to give a cooling effect to the eyes.
#3 Cucumber
This vegetable has potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the swelling of red eyes. To use it, you may place a cucumber in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes and then slice it up.
#4 Water
Not staying hydrated can cause the eyes to be red. To maintain a proper fluid balance, aim for around 8 cups of water per day.
#5 Green Tea
It has many anti-inflammatory nutrients which can alleviate red eyes in no time.
#6 Diet
Consume foods rich in lutein and carotenoids to prevent red eyes. Foods rich in carotenoids include – kale, spinach, dandelion greens, sweet potatoes, radicchio, arugula, green beans, Brussels sprouts, corn, broccoli, broccoli raab, pumpkin, lettuce, and mustard greens.
Image credit – Shutterstock
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References https://www.nature.com/articles/6700035 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/ http://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(97)30349-2/pdf