Table of Contents
- Sounds enticing…but what exactly is Lumify?
- What makes Lumify different than other red eye drops?
- Speaking of price, where can you buy Lumify eye drops and how much do they cost?
- Do Lumify eye drops have any side effects?
- Can Lumify eye drops be used with contact lenses in your eyes?
- How quickly do Lumify eye drops work? How long do they last?
- How many times a day can you use Lumify eye drops?
- Are there any reasons you shouldn’t use Lumify eye drops?
- What else should you know about Lumify eye drops?
- My personal experience using Lumify eye drops
- So, are Lumify eye drops really better than traditional red eye drops?
Do your eyes always look red or bloodshot?
Are you tired of people asking if you smoke or have pink eye?
Does having healthy looking white eyes sound like a dream come true?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should try Bausch and Lomb’s Lumify redness reliever eye drops! These new drops are one of a kind and have the capability of making your red eye problems a thing of the past!
In this review, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know about Lumify eye drops, including how much they cost and how they stack up to the competition.
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Sounds enticing…but what exactly is Lumify?
In a nutshell, Lumify is an over the counter redness relief eye drop that contains the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate in a very low dose (i.e. 0.025%).
The drop was FDA approved for over the counter distribution in the US and has been an absolute game-changer in the redness relief market. Also, just like other red eye drops, you do not need a doctor’s prescription to try Lumify!
Historically, prescription eye drops with a larger dose of brimonidine tartrate have been used to help decrease the (intraocular) eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. One of the favorable side effects discovered during the use of these prescription glaucoma drops was superior redness relief.
Fast forward to now and, at a significantly lower brimonidine tartrate dose, Lumify was born! In fact, in 2020, BASES named Lumify to its 2020 U.S. BASES Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations List in the “Superstar” category for its success in driving sales and category growth.
What makes Lumify different than other red eye drops?
First off, traditional redness relief eye drops contain active ingredients that are non-selective (i.e they target arteries and veins of the eye). The frequent use of non-selective redness relief eye drops can cause you to develop a tolerance to the medication over time. As a result, traditional redness relief eye drops lose their effectiveness with continued use and often lead to rebound redness.
On the other hand, Lumify selectively reduces the size of veins in your eye. This selectivity allows more oxygen to other areas of your eye, allowing them to appear a lot brighter and whiter (yippie!). Also, Lumify was designed to significantly reduce your likelihood of rebound redness.
Wait, what is rebound redness?
Rebound redness is when the redness you started with returns after repeated use of a redness relief eye drop. In fact, the redness you encounter is often worse than before you started using the drops. Unfortunately, this happens a lot with traditional, non-selective redness relief eye drops.
If you’ve been down the eye care aisle at the store lately, you know there is no shortage of red eye drops available. With so many options, it’s hard to know which drop to choose! Here is how the most popular ones stack up against Lumify.
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Lumify vs Visine
Visine redness relief eye drops come in Visine Original, Visine Advanced, and Visine Maximum Strength. All three drops have the same dose of Tetrahydrozoline HCI 0.05%, which provides non-selective redness relief.
Lumify vs Rohto
Rohto redness relief eye drops come in Rohto Ice, Rohto Cool, and Rhoto Cool Max. Their multi-symptom eye drop, Rhoto Ice, contains the redness reliever Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. On the other hand, the redness reliever in Rhoto Cool and Rhoto Cool Max is Naphazoline Hydrochloride (at 0.012% and 0.03% respectively). Again, all 3 of these active ingredients provide non-selective redness relief.
Lumify vs Clear Eyes
Last but not least is Clear Eyes redness relief eye drops. You may remember them from the Clear Eyes Guy commercials starring Ben Stein.
During my research, I discovered there are 8 different Clear Eyes products that contain redness relief as an active ingredient. These drops are broken down into multi-symptom, itchy eyes, and redness categories, all of which are highlighted below.
Multi-symptom
- Clear Eyes Pure Relief Multi-Symptom (Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 0.10%)
- Clear Eyes Complete 7 Symptom Relief (Naphazoline HCl 0.025%)
- Clear Eyes Triple Action (Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05%)
Itchy eyes
- Clear Eyes Cooling Comfort Itchy Eye Relief (Naphazoline HCl 0.012%)
Redness
- Clear Eyes Redness Relief (Naphazoline Hydrochloride 0.012%)
- Clear Eyes Maximum Redness Relief (Naphazoline Hydrochloride 0.03%)
- Clear Eyes Cooling Comfort Redness Relief (Naphazoline Hydrochloride 0.03%)
- Clear Eyes Traveler’s Eye Relief (Tetrahydrozoline 0.05%)
While marketed differently, all 8 eye drops provide non-selective redness relief (surprise, surprise)!
Do you see a trend here?
Don’t let their trendy marketing campaigns fool you, all of these eye drops are virtually the same. While they have varying active ingredients, all the eye drops listed above provide non-selective redness relief. This is why the selective targeting of Lumify is such a big deal!
Note: The eye drops I just mentioned are all less expensive than Lumify. However, since Lumify is better formulated, safe, and more effective, it’s worth the small difference in price.
Speaking of price, where can you buy Lumify eye drops and how much do they cost?
Lumify eye drops can be purchased at most major retailers and are available in two sizes (2.5ml or ~ 75 drops and 7.5ml or ~ 225 drops). The suggested retail is $14.99 for the small bottle and $25.99 for the larger bottle.
Check the current price of Lumify on Amazon here!
Do Lumify eye drops have any side effects?
Yes. According to Bausch and Lomb, a small number of people during clinical trials reported itching, foreign body sensation, tearing, and pain. Fortunately, all side effects were temporary and mild to moderate in severity.
If you experience any of these symptoms, the company asks that you discontinue the use of Lumify immediately. They also ask that you report any concerns to Bausch and Lomb Products at 800-553-5340.
The truth of the matter is, your eyes can get red for a variety of reasons. Lumify was designed to help those with occasional redness that are looking for temporary relief. That’s why if your eyes remain red or get worse when using Lumify, it’s very important to consult with an eye care professional immediately!
Can Lumify eye drops be used with contact lenses in your eyes?
No. However, they can be used before you put in your contacts. I recommend doing so at least 10 – 15 minutes before putting in your contacts.
Also, if you’re wearing your contacts and want to use Lumify, take them out before doing so. Then, as indicated above, wait for another 10 – 15 minutes before putting them back in.
How quickly do Lumify eye drops work? How long do they last?
One of the most incredible things about Lumify eye drops is that they work in as little as one minute and last for up to 8 hours!
How many times a day can you use Lumify eye drops?
Just like anything in life, moderation is key! As a result, the company recommends that you do not use Lumify eye drops more than 4 times a day.
Are there any reasons you shouldn’t use Lumify eye drops?
Yes. According to Bausch and Lomb, Lumify is not for children under the age of 5 years old.
Also, if your redness is due to an infection, injury, or lasts more than 3 days, it’s highly recommended you do not use Lumify and consult with an eye care professional immediately.
Lastly, if you’re sensitive to the preservative BAK, you should use this eye drop with caution until Bausch and Lomb releases a preservative-free option.
What else should you know about Lumify eye drops?
According to Bausch and Lomb:
- Lumify demonstrated a 95% improvement at 1 minute in clinical studies
- Lumify received a 95% satisfaction rating in a recent in-home-use-study with over 300 participants
- 79% of patients that used Lumify in clinical studies maintained significant redness reduction at 8 hours
- Lumify does not contain any bleaches or dyes
My personal experience using Lumify eye drops
As soon as I heard that Lumify eye drops were available, I ordered them on Amazon. While initially not in stock, they arrived at my house a couple of days after my order.
Excited to try them, my sister-in-law and I put them in around the same time. Just as Bausch and Lomb stated, these eye drops work fast!
After just one minute, we both had significantly whiter and brighter eyes! However, after a few minutes, I did feel what felt like a mild pulling sensation in my eyes. While I rarely use redness relief eye drops, this is a common occurrence for me when I do. Since I suffer from dry eye disease, it’s likely that my eyes were simply dry and tired from a long days work. Fortunately, I have since used these drops and have not experienced any side effects.
Overall, my experience with Lumify eye drops was extremely positive. As an optometrist, I will recommend Lumify to my patients that are looking for a better redness relief alternative than traditional red eye drops. As a consumer, I’m already a huge fan of these eye drops and will continue to use them myself!
So, are Lumify eye drops really better than traditional red eye drops?
Honestly, yes…it’s not even close! If you’re still not convinced, I highly recommend you try them yourself!
What do you think of Lumify eye drops? Leave your review in the comments below!
Lumify Eye Drops Review
Overall
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Cost
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Comfort
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Health & Safety
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Effectiveness
Summary
Lumify eye drops are the real deal! They’re effective, safe, available online and in stores, and comfortable. As a result, it’s no surprise that they come highly recommended by eye care professionals. The only downside to these eye drops is they cost more than traditional redness relief eye drops. However, this is only because they are that much better!
Pros
- FDA approved
- Effectively whitens eyes for up to 8 hours
- No rebound redness (when used as directed)
- Available online and over the counter (no prescription necessary)
Cons
- Cost more than traditional redness relief eye drops
Sources
- Lumify consumer website
- Lumify eye care professional website
- Visine consumer website
- Rohto consumer website
- Clear Eyes consumer website
Whoa!
Whew! Sounds too good to be true! Because it is too good to be true.
The author failed to mention BAK. Bad stuff!
If you’re truly interested in the health of your eyes, research BAK before using Lumify.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (4) No (1)
Thank you for your feedback. I’ll make sure to update the review accordingly. To clarify, when used as indicated by B+L, these eye drops are a great option for general redness relief. For those sensitive to BAK, I’m sure the company will be coming out with a preservative free option soon.
Too Expensive
Too expensive
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (2) No (3)
Hello Doctor. Do you know if this product will work on the dulled whites of the eyes? I don’t have the redness factor but my whites are very off-white, almost yellowed. I called Bausch and Lom but they had no opinion. Thank you.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (2) No
Hi Bobbi – These eye drops are not indicated for anything other than general redness. With this in mind, it’s worth giving a try. However, I do recommend visit an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Especially since yellow eyes can be a sign of liver disease.
Sample
Is there any way you can send me a sample? I would really like to try it before I invest in eye drops that cost more then a 5 gallons of gas
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Some eye doctors are provided with Lumify samples from their B+L reps. I recommended scheduling a yearly eye exam and asking your eye doctor if they have samples available!
Lumify has been an absolute miracle for me! I am now a senior and I developed a lifelong problem with bloodshot eyes when I was in my teens. Regular eyedrops never did anything to help my condition. I have tried everything imaginable, both over the counter and by prescription and none of them took the redness out. Fellow sufferers, especially females, know the despair of looking your best for a special event only to have the look ruined by bloodshot eyes. The first time I tried Lumify, I placed one drop in each eye and then closed them for about a minute. When I opened my eyes, my mind was blown! The improvement was amazing and better yet, they give my eyes a truly comforting feeling. When I told my optometrist about my results, I was so happy when he said that it was just fine that I used them because, “ they work differently than other eyedrops.” Until I found this page, I’ve been using them more for special occasions or when I was dressed up and going somewhere. I was afraid of them losing their affect if I used them everyday. I stumbled upon this page and learned that they actually work by oxygenating the eye, Obviously, a very good thing so now I will use them every day and not worry because I think I could actually be helping my eyes. In case my rave review has caused you to wonder if this is a real review or if I have any connection to the product, I assure you, I do not. My name is Mary Ann Mattingly and I live in San Clemente, Calif. I just want to shout from the rooftops and let everyone know that at last there is a product out that will work for those of us for whom nothing has worked. Of course there will be someone it doesn’t work for, but I urge anyone with a history like mine, where other drops haven’t worked to give it a try. This might sound corny, but I don’t care, I thank God for the relief this product has brought to me from lifelong suffering.with my eyes.
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Thank you for sharing your story. This is truly incredible and something red eye suffers can relate to!
Not sure if they are for me. ..
I’m really excited about these, but are they ok to use if you have high normal eye pressures?
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Yes!
Looking for help
In 2018 after a couple months from a big arm laceration accident, some red veins started to pop out on my eyes. After a long research, I started to use Refresh tears, then Clear Eyes, then Lumify, then GenTeal Severe Dry Eye, and at the end organic hexane free castor oil. But nothing seems to work because right now I have very enlarge blood vessels on my eyes (I have pics). After all this I decided to go to an ophthalmologist but in the first visit he only recommended Refresh tears, and on the second visit Lumify. All these visits were really a big bummer because I was already doing all that and he was not giving any new information that I already knew. I have been a web developer for a while and this has never happened to me. What works at the moment for me is, working on my computer for 15 minutes intervals, then put cold compresses on my eyes for a couple seconds, then put organic hexane free castor oils (every 25 minutes), and turn my humidifiers. That combined at night with GenTeal Severe Dry Eye seems to work the best but the red veins won’t go away, they might become mildly red but not gone. Some doctors online say these will never gone, others keep suggesting me the same things I already tried. I have several pictures of my eyes, if possible I would like your opinion and perhaps make an online consulting. I am willing to pay you via PayPal, let me know if you can help me.
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Thank you for sharing your story, Luis. Unfortunately, we’re unable to provide care advice remotely. With this in mind, I highly recommend seeking a second opinion from an optometrist or ophthalmologist that specializes in dry eye/ocular surface disease.
Caused Extreme Redness and Crustiness
I used this product once a day for three days. On the fourth day I woke up with VERY red eyes and crustiness on my eyelids. Today is the fifth day and I again woke up with crustiness and slightly less but still very red eyes. I called the manufacturer and they said that they had not heard of this before and that I should go to the doctor if the redness persists. The representative indicated that they do not keep a database of complaints. In other words the manufacturer is taking not responsibility and is offering no help. This has been a very unpleasant experience and I would advise not using this product. After searching on line I find that this is not an uncommon complaint.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (2) No
Thank you for sharing your experience, John. Unfortunately, side effects are a risk of any medication. I agree that consulting with your eye doctor would be the next best step to confirm there isn’t anything further going on.
Great for redness relief, less guilt involved
I have had a problem with red eyes since college. I primarily used clear eyes and rohto, but the rebound effect caused me to use several drops a day. All this while knowing those drops were not good for me led to shame and embarrassment about using them. Now comes along Lumify and it’s recommended by my optometrist! The first time I used it, MY GOD, my eyes were so white, it was lovely. The effects have slightly lessened but they still provide great relief and have helped boost my confidence, and have made it so that my anxiety surrounding my eyes has lessened by a lot. Highly recommend, though the price is much too steep.
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Thank you for sharing your experience, Bryan. The price is more than “traditional” eye drops but reflects effectiveness. Since Lumify is recommended to only be used once a day, one bottle should last for a while.
Love these drops!!
Best ever for redness and whitening of the eyes. My eye Dr. recommends it! Would like to find more coupons to help with $$$. Lumify coupon site does not have offers @ this time. I still buy them
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Worth the price
I love this product. I have had no side effects. I don’t use it ever day but when I do within minutes my eyes are much whiter. I’m on zoom a lot so I use it just before I sign on. Worth the price.
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Be cautious, this product isnt for everyone.
Although this product does wonders for red eyes quickly, it caused me awful headaches. At first I wasn’t sure until I noticed between 5-7 hour after every use I’d have really bad headaches…and at times blurry vision. So if it works for you great, but pay attention to signs each time you use it. The headaches grew progressively worse and I only put one drop per eye once a day for any day I used it. This is the only eye drop to ever cause me headaches.
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Excellent drops
No other eye drop compares….second runner up to effective redness reliever I believe is Rohto Cool…when I can’t spend extra for Lumify! 😉
Had no side effects ever with Lumify.
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