USING EYE DROPS PROPERLY

USING EYE DROPS PROPERLY1

If your doctor has prescribed eye drops to manage glaucoma or another eye condition, it’s essential to apply them the right way to ensure the medication works effectively. Improper use may result in medicine not reaching your eye, which can lead to worsening vision over time.

Eye drops for conditions like glaucoma play a crucial role in preserving eyesight. Using them incorrectly may increase the risk of vision loss.

How to Apply Eye Drops the Right Way

  • Tilt your head back and focus your gaze upward.
  • Use one hand to gently pull down your lower eyelid, forming a small pocket.
  • With your other hand, hold the dropper just above this pocket, making sure the tip faces downward.
  • Squeeze out the recommended number of drops into the pocket.
  • Close your eye and gently press on the inner corner (near your nose) for at least one minute. This helps prevent the drops from draining away through your tear duct.
  • If using multiple types of eye drops, wait at least five minutes before applying the next one.

TIPS TO AVOID EYE INFECTIONS

If your doctor has prescribed eye drops to manage glaucoma or another eye condition, it’s essential to apply them the right way to ensure the medication works effectively. Improper use may result in medicine not reaching your eye, which can lead to worsening vision over time.

Eye drops for conditions like glaucoma play a crucial role in preserving eyesight. Using them incorrectly may increase the risk of vision loss.

To keep your eyes safe from infection while using drops:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling eye drops.
  • Avoid touching the tip of the dropper with your fingers.
  • Do not let the dropper tip come into contact with your eye or eyelids.

If you find it difficult to use eye drops, ask your eye care provider about tools or devices designed to make the process easier.

Reference:

  1. National Eye How to put in eye drops [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Eye Institute; 2022 [cited 2025 Sep 2]. Available from: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/ eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/glaucoma-medicines/how-put-eye-drops