Sharing Is Caring: How to Use Eye Drops Properly

Saturday, June 25, 2016

(Using a mirror or having someone else give you the eyedrops may make this procedure easier.)

1Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
3Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else - eyedrops and droppers must be kept clean.
4While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
5Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
6Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
7While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
9Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
10 Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
11 If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
12 Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
13 Wash your hands to remove any medication.