💧👀 Tired of the eye drop struggle? Fear not! This blog post breaks down the steps to make administering eye medication a breeze.

I prescribe eyedrops and eye ointments frequently and realise that there are some patients who have difficulties administering the eye medications or administering them wrongly. Here, I have compiled some videos on how to apply the eye medications effectively.

How To Apply Eye Drops

1. Wash Your Hands (0:39)
   Always start by washing your hands to prevent contamination.
2. Tilt Your Head (0:51)
   Tilt your head slightly backward and look upward.
3. Form a Pocket (0:57)
   Gently pinch or pull down the lower lid to create a small pocket.
4. Administer the Drop (1:04)
   Squeeze the bottle to release the drop into the pocket. Avoid touching the tip of the applicator to your eyelid or eyelashes to prevent contamination. Remember, applying more than one drop won’t increase effectiveness but may increase side effects.
5. Close Your Eye (1:25)
   Close your eye gently to allow for absorption, but do not blink.
6. Wipe Away Excess (1:32)
   Use a clean tissue to gently wipe away any excess liquid from around the eye.
7. Wait Before Next Dose (1:41)
   If you need to apply another eye medication, wait about 5 minutes before doing so.

Some additional tips on how to position the hands are shown in this video as well (1:31):

How To Apply Eye Ointments

The steps are similar except for step 4 due to the thicker nature of the ointment as compared to eyedrops (0:49):

He also covered some additional tips for using eye ointments:

• Tip #1 (1:15) – If you’re using eye drops and ointments, first use your eye drop and then wait five minutes before using your eye ointment. If it is the other way round, the eyedrop will not be absorbed into the eye properly as it will instead flow out.
• Tip #2 (1:31) – If you’re using more than one eye ointment, use your first one and then wait at least 30 minutes before applying your next one.
• Tip #3 (1:39) – Don’t let the tip of the eye ointment touch the eye hands or any other surfaces. This will keep it free from bacteria and any other germs.
• Tip #4 (1:47) – Eye ointments have preservatives but they only keep for a limited amount of time once opened. It’s usually about four weeks but always check the information leaflet for clarification. Write the date you open it either on the box or on the tube and don’t use it after the recommended time because you’re at risk of getting an eye infection.
• Tip #5 (2:04) – Eye ointments are thick so when it sticks to your eye it can cause temporary blurred vision. Make sure not to drive or operate any heavy machinery until it wears off. To reduce this, blink several times after you apply and don’t rub your eyes.
• Tip #6 (2:17) – Don’t wear contact lenses whilst you’re using eye ointment unless advised otherwise because some of the ingredients and preservatives can accumulate in soft lenses and may cause damage.

Conclusion

Administering eye drops and ointments doesn’t have to be daunting! With practice and patience, you’ll become a pro in no time. Remember, keeping those eyes healthy is important for overall well-being—so don’t skip those meds!

On a related note, do also check out my other post on eyelid care tips!