We often use eye drops as part of ophthalmology treatment and sometimes for just soothing a tired eye. Let us look at how to use eye drops properly.
What you must remember
- Eye medications may cause burning for a few minutes. However if the medications cause redness, or swelling of the eye lids, or severe itching inform your eye doctor immediately.
- Always bring the bottles with you when you come to the hospital. Please apply all the medications as instructed by your doctor on the day of your appointment unless your doctor has specifically asked you not to. It is enough to put one drop into the eye. Make sure it goes in, if in doubt you can apply one more drop.
- Remember to carry eye drops with you when you travel. Use them in the same way as you did while at home. The patient must be careful in preventing contamination while traveling.
How to place eye drops in the eye
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Shake bottle vigorously
- Tilt head back and look upward
- Gently pull the lower eye lid away from the eye, forming a pouch.
- Place a drop in the pouch. Be careful not to touch the eyelid with the tip of the tube.
- Replace the cap on the dropper and tighten
- Gently close the eye
- Press the inner corner near the nose for one minute
- If you are using more than one eye drop, wait atleast five minutes before applying the other eye drops.
- Store medication in a cool place. Avoid direct sunlight and bright light.
How to place eye ointment in the eye
- Wash hands with soap and water
- To improve flow of ointment, hold tube in hand several minutes to warm before use.
- Tilt head back and look upward
- Gently pull the lower eye lid away from the eye, forming a pouch.
- Place about this much ###### ointment into the pouch. Be careful not to touch the eyelid with the tip of the tube.
- Replace the cap on the tube and tighten
- Gently close the eye and roll eye in all directions while eye is closed. Temporary blurring may occur.
- Press the inner corner near the nose for one minute
- If you are using more than one eye drop, wait atleast five minutes before applying the other eye drops.
- Store medication in a cool place. Avoid direct sunlight and bright light.
