The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new non-prescription eye drop treatment, Brytly, apraclonidine ophthalmic solution, 0.125 percent, for relief of eye redness due to minor irritations. This is the first non prescription eye drop with apraclonidine.

Mike Davis, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), FDA, said, "Expanding access to safe and effective non prescription treatments is a priority for FDA. Today's approval of Brytly gives consumers a new non prescription option to manage eye redness conveniently and without needing to see a healthcare provider."

This approval aligns with FDA’s Public Health Pillars, which prioritise increasing access to affordable medicines. The agency is actively working to help foster conditions that encourage competition and expand the availability of non prescription drugs. 

Eye redness is a common condition most frequently caused by swollen or dilated blood vessels on the surface of the eye, which can result from minor irritations such as dryness or dust. Eye drops with higher concentrations of apraclonidine are available by prescription to reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma or who are undergoing certain types of laser eye surgery.

Brytly is approved only for adults and children 12 years of age and older and should not be used more than 2 times per day. 

Before using Brytly, consumers should read the full Drug Facts label. Consumers should remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 10 minutes after applying the eye drops before re-inserting contact lenses.

If additional eye drops will be used, consumers should wait 5 minutes between applying each product. Consumers should stop using Brytly and ask a doctor if they experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness, or irritation or if the condition persists for over 3 days or worsens. 

FDA granted the non-prescription approval to Alcon.