Can Getting Eye Drops in Your Mouth Make You Sick? Understanding the Risks

In 2023, U.S. poison centers managed 771 cases of exposure to tetrahydrozoline eye drops, with about 40% involving children aged five or younger [1.2.2]. So, can getting eye drops in your mouth make you sick? Yes, depending on the type and amount, it can be very dangerous.

Quick Summary

Getting eye drops in your mouth can lead to systemic toxicity, especially with certain ingredients. This is because medication can drain from the eye into the throat and be swallowed, causing potentially serious side effects.

Key Points

• Ingestion is Possible: Eye drops can drain through the nasolacrimal duct into the throat and be swallowed, leading to systemic absorption [1.11.1].

• Redness Relievers are Dangerous: Decongestant eye drops with ingredients like tetrahydrozoline are highly toxic if ingested, especially for children [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

• Small Amounts are Toxic: For children, swallowing as little as 1-2 mL of certain eye drops can cause severe symptoms like coma and respiratory depression [1.4.2, 1.8.1].

• Prescription Drops Carry Risks: Medicated drops for conditions like glaucoma (e.g., beta-blockers) can also cause serious systemic side effects if swallowed [1.2.4].

• Call Poison Control Immediately: If ingestion is suspected, do not wait for symptoms. Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 right away [1.10.1].

• Prevention is Crucial: Use the punctal occlusion technique to minimize absorption and always store eye drops securely out of children's reach [1.13.3, 1.10.1].

• Artificial Tears are Safest: Lubricating drops without active medications are generally safe, though preservatives may cause minor upset [1.5.1].

From Eye to Body: How Do Eye Drops Get into Your System?

When you apply an eye drop, it doesn't just stay on the surface of your eye. Excess fluid, along with the medication it contains, drains through small openings in the corners of your eyelids called puncta [1.11.1]. These lead to the nasolacrimal duct, which connects your eyes to your nasal cavity. From the back of the nose, the solution can easily drip down into your throat and be swallowed [1.11.1]. This process, known as systemic absorption, allows the active ingredients in the eye drops to enter your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body, potentially causing unintended side effects [1.11.2, 1.11.3].

Not All Drops Are Created Equal: Types of Eye Drops and Their Ingestion Risks

The level of risk from swallowing eye drops depends entirely on their active ingredients. While some are relatively harmless, others can be highly toxic, especially for children [1.2.3].

Decongestant Eye Drops (Redness Relievers)

The most significant danger comes from over-the-counter (OTC) redness-relieving eye drops [1.2.2]. These products often contain imidazole derivatives like tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline [1.2.1, 1.6.1]. These chemicals work by constricting blood vessels in the eye to reduce redness [1.2.3]. However, when ingested, they act like potent blood pressure medications, similar to clonidine [1.2.2].

Even a small amount—as little as 1-2 mL (a fraction of a teaspoon)—can cause serious toxicity in a child, leading to symptoms like [1.4.2, 1.8.1]:

• Drowsiness, lethargy, or even coma [1.4.4]
• Dangerously slow heart rate (bradycardia) [1.2.2]
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) [1.2.2]
• Slowed or stopped breathing [1.4.4]
• Hypothermia (low body temperature) [1.4.4]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about the serious harm that can result from accidental ingestion of these products by children [1.2.1].

Medicated and Prescription Eye Drops

Other types of medicated eye drops also carry risks if swallowed:

• Beta-Blockers (e.g., Timolol for glaucoma): These are designed to lower pressure inside the eye, but if absorbed systemically, they can affect the heart and lungs. Ingestion can lead to a slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and breathing difficulties, similar to an overdose of oral beta-blocker medication [1.2.4].
• Alpha-Adrenergic Agonists (e.g., Brimonidine for glaucoma): Similar to imidazole derivatives, these can cause severe poisoning, with symptoms like drowsiness, hypotension, and respiratory depression appearing within 30 minutes of ingestion [1.2.4].
• Steroid Eye Drops: While a single drop is less concerning, ingesting a larger quantity or long-term systemic absorption could lead to steroid-related side effects.
• Antibiotic/Antiviral Eye Drops: The risk is generally lower, but ingestion can still contribute to side effects or antibiotic resistance.
• Lubricating Eye Drops (Artificial Tears): These are typically the safest if swallowed in small amounts, as they are mostly saline and lubricants. However, some may contain preservatives that could cause mild stomach upset.

Comparison of Eye Drop Ingestion Risks

Eye Drop Type	Common Active Ingredients	Ingestion Risk Level	Potential Systemic Side Effects
Decongestant (Redness Relief)	Tetrahydrozoline, Naphazoline	High	Drowsiness, coma, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, respiratory depression [1.4.4, 1.9.4].
Glaucoma (Beta-Blocker)	Timolol, Betaxolol	High	Slow or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing [1.7.2].
Glaucoma (Alpha-Agonist)	Brimonidine, Apraclonidine	High	Drowsiness, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, respiratory depression [1.2.4].
Antibiotic / Antiviral	Moxifloxacin, Ganciclovir	Low to Medium	Potential for stomach upset and other medication-specific side effects.
Lubricant (Artificial Tears)	Carboxymethylcellulose, Polyethylene Glycol	Very Low	Generally considered safe, but preservatives may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

What to Do in Case of Ingestion

If you suspect someone, especially a child, has swallowed eye drops, it is a medical emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to appear [1.2.2].

1. Act Immediately: Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 in the United States or seek emergency medical care right away [1.10.1]. This service is free and available 24/7 [1.10.3].
2. Do Not Induce Vomiting: Unless specifically instructed by a poison control expert or healthcare professional, do not make the person throw up [1.10.3].
3. Gather Information: Have the eye drop bottle handy so you can tell the operator the exact name of the product and its active ingredients [1.10.3]. Try to estimate how much was swallowed and when.

Preventing Accidental Ingestion

Prevention is key to avoiding a dangerous situation. You can minimize risk through proper administration and storage.

• Punctal Occlusion: To reduce systemic absorption, after instilling an eye drop, gently close the eye and press a finger against the inner corner (over the tear duct) for at least one to two minutes [1.13.2, 1.13.3]. This simple technique helps keep the medication in the eye longer and prevents it from draining into the throat [1.13.3].
• Safe Storage: Always store eye drops and all medications out of the reach and sight of children [1.10.1]. The small bottles can be intriguing to kids, and many do not have child-resistant caps [1.10.3, 1.12.2].
• Use as Directed: Never use more drops than prescribed. Applying one drop is usually sufficient, as the eye can only hold a small volume of liquid [1.11.2].

Conclusion

While a tiny taste of an eye drop that drains down the throat is unlikely to cause a major issue for an adult, the answer to 'can getting eye drops in your mouth make you sick?' is a definitive yes. The active ingredients in many eye drops, particularly over-the-counter redness relievers and prescription glaucoma medications, are potent drugs. When swallowed, they can lead to toxic blood levels and cause severe, life-threatening effects, with children being at the highest risk [1.5.1, 1.5.3]. Always handle these medications with care, store them safely, and in case of any accidental ingestion, contact Poison Control immediately.

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For more information on poison prevention and safety, you can visit the American Association of Poison Control Centers: https://www.aapcc.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a child drinks Visine or other redness-relieving eye drops?

If a child drinks redness-relieving eye drops containing tetrahydrozoline, it can cause serious poisoning. Symptoms include extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, a dangerously slow heart rate, and even coma. It is a medical emergency, and you should call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately [1.2.2, 1.4.4].

Can you die from swallowing eye drops?

Yes, ingesting certain eye drops can be fatal [1.2.2, 1.5.1]. The active ingredients in redness-relieving drops, such as tetrahydrozoline, can cause life-threatening effects like respiratory depression and severe changes in heart rate and blood pressure when swallowed [1.4.4].

How much eye drop solution is considered toxic?

For young children, ingestion of as little as 1 to 2 milliliters of an over-the-counter decongestant eye drop can lead to serious adverse events and toxicity [1.8.1, 1.8.4]. This is equivalent to just a few drops.

Is it okay if I taste the eye drop in my throat after using it?

Tasting a small amount of an eye drop that has drained down your throat is common and usually not harmful for an adult. However, to minimize this and potential side effects, you can use the punctal occlusion technique by pressing on the corner of your eye after instilling a drop [1.13.3].

What are the first aid steps for swallowing eye drops?

The most important step is to immediately call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Do not try to make the person vomit unless instructed to do so. Have the product container ready to provide information to the operator [1.10.1, 1.10.3].

Are lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) poisonous if swallowed?

Generally, artificial tears are not considered poisonous if swallowed in small quantities. They mostly contain lubricants and saline. However, some have preservatives that might cause mild stomach upset. The primary danger lies with medicated drops, not simple lubricants [1.5.1].

Why aren't eye drop bottles child-proof?

Historically, many over-the-counter eye drop bottles have not been required to have child-resistant packaging. This lack of safety features increases the risk of accidental poisoning in children, prompting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to propose rules for such packaging [1.2.1, 1.10.3].