How to Use Eye Drops
Infections, inflammation, glaucoma, and many other eye disorders
are treated with eyedrops. Surprisingly, even the small amount of
medication in an eyedrop can create significant side effects in
other parts of the body. It is important to remember that all
medicines have side effects. There are ways to decrease the
absorption of the eyedrop into the system, and to increase the time
the eyedrop is on the eye, making the medicine more safe and
effective.
Inserting eyedrops may seem difficult at first but becomes easier
with practice. To put in an eyedrop, tilt the head back. Then create
a pocket in front of the eye by pulling the lower lid down with an
index finger or gently pinch the lower lid outward with the thumb
and index finger. Let the drop fall into the pocket without touching
your eye or eyelid (to prevent contamination of the bottle).
Immediately after instilling the drop, close your eyelids without
squeezing and blinking. Hold your forefinger against the corner of
your eye near the nose. This prevents most of the drop from
traveling down the tear duct to the rest of the body.
Keep your eyes closed for three minutes after instilling the drop.
Because the volume of a single drop exceeds the capacity of the
surface of the eye, it serves no purpose to use two drops at the
same time.
Before opening your eyes, dab unabsorbed drops and tears from the
closed lids with a tissue.
If you are taking two different types of eyedrops, wait at least
five minutes before instilling the second drop.
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