This article gives general advice on how to use most eye drops. However, you may be given specific instructions which may vary from the advice
below. Ask your eye doctor if you have any queries.
Method of using eye drops:
- Wash your hands and sit or stand in front of a mirror.
- Take off the top of the bottle.
- Bend your head backwards and gently pull your lower eyelid down.
- Hold the dropper above one eye. Squeeze one drop into the pocket formed by gently pulling down the lower eyelid. Try not to touch your eye, eyelashes, or anything else with the dropper tip.
- Let go of the eyelid and keep the eye closed for as long as possible after application of the eye drop.
- You may apply pressure over the Lacrimal sac area (just below the inner corner of the eye) to impede rapid outflow of the eye drop from the eye. It helps in better absorption and action of the instilled medicine.
- Wipe away any liquid that falls onto your cheek with a tissue.
- Repeat in the other eye if the drop is prescribed for both eyes.
- When two different eye drop preparations are used at the same time of day, wait for at least ten minutes before putting the second drop into an eye. This allows the first drop to ‘settle in’ and not be washed out by a second drop if it is put in too quickly.
Some points about eye drops:
Eye drops are sterile (free from bacteria) before the bottle top is opened. Once it is opened:
- Keep the bottle closed in a cool, dark place.
- Do not let the dropper or dropper nozzle touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface. This is to keep it free from bacteria (germs).
- Do not let anyone else use your drops, and do not use anyone else’s drops yourself.
- Some eye drops sting or irritate for a short while. Rarely, some people are allergic to some eye drops. Tell your doctor if eye symptoms become worse after using eye drops.
- Do not wear contact lenses whilst using eye drops unless otherwise advised. (Some drugs and preservatives in eye drops can accumulate in soft contact lenses and may cause harm.)
- Keep the eye drops out of children’s reach.
Dr. Shreyas Palav
Specialist Ophthalmologist
Bahrain Specialist Hospital
Email: shreyas.palav@bsh.com.bh