Temporary Blindness

• When sprayed in the face, pepper spray temporarily blinds an attacker by causing his eyes to swell shut for at least 10 minutes, and often longer.
  
  

Expert Insight

• According to a study published in a 2000 issue of Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, repeated exposure to pepper spray can cause changes in corneal sensitivity, although apparently not in visual acuity.
  
  

Pain

• Pepper spray also causes burning sensations and pain to the skin.
  
  

Coughing

• Uncontrollable coughing is another harmful effect of pepper spray.
  
  

Breathing Difficulty

• Pepper spray causes breathing difficulty, which can be a dangerous effect for people with asthma or other breathing disorders.