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OVER-THE-COUNTER

PRODUCT COMPARISON CHART

See how LUMIFY's active ingredient compares

OVERVIEW

LUMIFY eye drops is an OTC FDA approved redness reliever to reduce redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations. LUMIFY is different to other topical redness relievers because the brimonidine mechanism of action targets veins instead of arteries, which reduces redness with a lower risk of rebound redness or loss of effectiveness over time.

Attribute
Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution
LUMIFY® Redness Reliever Eye Drops
Apraclonidine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution
Active Ingredient
Brimonidine1
Brimonidine2
Apraclonidine4,5
Drug Class
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (highly alpha-2 selective)1,6
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (highly alpha-2 selective)2,7
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (relatively selective for alpha-2, significantly less alpha-2 selective compared to brimonidine)4,5
Mechanism of Action

Highly selective a2 adrenergic receptor agonist constricts arterioles and venules to reduce redness


Selective constriction of venules has the potential advantage of sustaining the availability of blood and oxygen to the surrounding tissue, which would otherwise be decreased with arteriole constriction1,6

Highly selective a2 adrenergic receptor agonist constricts arterioles and venules to reduce redness


Selective constriction of venules has the potential advantage of sustaining the availability of blood and oxygen to the surrounding tissue, which would otherwise be decreased with arteriole constriction7,8

Relatively selective a2 adrenergic receptor agonist. For ophthalmic use - has effect of reducing elevated, as well as normal, intraocular pressure (IOP), whether or not accompanied by glaucoma.4,5
Mechanism of IOP lowering
Reduces aqueous humor production and increases uveoscleral outflow.1,6
Not indicated or assessed for IOP lowering.2
Reduces aqueous humor production.4
Selectivity/Binding Affinity
1000:16,9

1000:1


Unlike vasoconstrictor/redness reliever drops, LUMIFY selectively constricts the veins (venules) that cause surface redness, thereby maintaining oxygen flow to the surrounding ocular tissues. By not constricting arteries, the drop drastically lowers the occurrence of rebound redness.7,8,9

72:14,9
Prescription or Over the Counter
Prescription1
Over the counter2
Prescription4,5
Strengths available
0.1%; 0.15%; 0.2%1
0.025%2
0.5% as base (5 mg/mL); 1% as base (10 mg/mL, IOPIDINE)4,5
Indication
Reduction of elevated IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (chronic use)1
Relieves redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations2
0.5%: adjunct in patients on maximally tolerated medical therapy needing further IOP reduction.
1% (IOPIDINE): control/prevent post-surgical IOP elevations after argon laser trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, or Nd:YAG capsulotomy4,5
Dosing
1 drop in affected eye(s) three times daily, ~8 hours apart1
1 drop in the affected eye(s) every 6-8 hours2
0.5%: typically TID (chronic adjunctive). 1%: 1 drop 1 hour before laser surgery and a second drop immediately upon completion4,5
Directions for Use
One drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. If more than one topical ophthalmic product is used, separate products by at least 5 minutes.1
Adults and children 5 years of age and over:
  • - instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) every 6-8 hours
  • - do not use more than 4 times daily
  • - remove contact lenses before use
  • - wait at least 10 minutes before re-inserting contact lenses after use
  • - if using other ophthalmic products, wait at least 5 minutes between each product
  • - to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface
  • - replace cap after each use

Children under 5 years of age: consult a doctor2

One to two drops of apraclonidine ophthalmic solution should be instilled in the affected eye(s) three times daily. Since apraclonidine ophthalmic solution will be used with other ocular glaucoma therapies, an approximate 5 minute interval between instillation of each medication should be practiced to prevent washout of the previous dose. NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE. NOT FOR ORAL INGESTION.4
Tachyphylaxis
Not observed1
Not observed7
Observed

The IOP lowering efficacy of IOPIDINE 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution diminishes over time in some patients. This loss of effect, or tachyphylaxis, appears to be an individual occurrence with a variable time of onset and should be closely monitored.4

Rebound Redness
Not assessed1
Negligible rebound redness7
Apraclonidine has theoretical rebound redness based on class behavior4,7
Onset of Action
Peak IOP lowering observed 2-3 hours after instillation.1,6
Reduce redness in 1 minute2,7,8
Onset within ~1 hour; maximum IOP reduction ~3 hours (0.5%) or 3-5 hours (1%) post-instillation4,5
Contraindications
Neonates/infants <2 years old; hypersensitivity reactions1
None2
Patients on MAOI therapy; hypersensitivity to any component4,5
Key warnings/precautions
0.1%, 0.15% - Potentiation of vascular insufficiency; severe cardiovascular disease; topical contamination after use.1
For external use only Over-the-counter: For external use only

Do not use
- if solution changes color or becomes cloudy

Stop use and ask a doctor if
- you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye
- condition worsens or persists for more than 3 days

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.2
Not for injection or oral ingestion. FOR EYE USE ONLY. Topical administration of apraclonidine have been reported to cause cardiovascular collapse requiring intubation and ventilation in pediatric patients 6 years and younger, including neonates. Systemic adverse reactions such as prolonged lethargy and unresponsiveness, apnea, hypoxia, respiratory failure, bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, pallor have also been reported. Appropriate monitoring in a clinical setting should be in place.4,5
Available in Preservative Free
No1
Yes3
No4,5
Sources
Source #
Citation
Link
1
DailyMed. Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, prescribing information. National Library of Medicine; label updated Oct. 7, 2025.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=87c5a534-4321-46c7-9938-84dca34b6506
2
DailyMed. LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops (brimonidine tartrate 0.025%), Drug Facts. National Library of Medicine; label updated Mar. 31, 2026.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=022de945-0b26-40ae-8e88-d3fe2464d106
3
DailyMed. LUMIFY Preservative Free Eye Drops (brimonidine tartrate 0.025%), Drug Facts. National Library of Medicine; label updated Mar. 17, 2026.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ef5974b9-946c-4983-80e3-32b3aa28c207
4
DailyMed. Apraclonidine ophthalmic solution 0.5%, prescribing information. National Library of Medicine; label updated Oct. 2, 2024.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=04ad82af-e7ba-4f40-a120-be9d33cf0c7b
5
DailyMed. IOPIDINE 1% (apraclonidine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), prescribing information. National Library of Medicine; label updated Oct. 7, 2021.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2a6c44a6-e415-467f-bf3b-3e7f2c7dc714
6
PubChem. Brimonidine compound summary. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Brimonidine
7
Hosten LO, Snyder C. Over-the-Counter Ocular Decongestants in the United States: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Utility for Management of Ocular Redness. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2020;12:95-105. PMCID: PMC7399465.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7399465/
8
Bausch + Lomb. LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops / professional site and clinical FAQ.
https://ecp.lumifyeyes.com/
9
Burke J, Schwartz M. Preclinical evaluation of brimonidine. Survey of Ophthalmology. 1996;41 Suppl 1:S9-S18. doi:10.1016/S0039-6257(96)82027-3.
https://www.surveyophthalmol.com/article/S0039-6257(96)82027-3/fulltext
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