It is never easy to get a foreign substance into the eye, and eye drops are no exception. There are different types to treat small inflammations, allergies, irritations and dryness problems and you can buy them without a prescription. In more severe cases of dry eyes, infections, or glaucoma, you can get the necessary medication instead. Regardless of why you need eye drops, you need to know the proper technique to use it or give it to someone else safely and effectively.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Put the eye drops in your eyes
Step 1. Wash your hands
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Cleanse well between your fingers, reaching up to the wrist or forearm.
- Dry them with a clean towel.
Step 2. Read the instructions
Make sure you clearly understand the information on the package insert or provided by your doctor.
- Find the eye where you want to put the drops and check how many drops you need to apply. Typically, the surface of the eyeball can hold one.
- Check your watch to be sure when you need to put it back, or note the last application to know when it's next.
Step 3. Check the contents of the bottle
Look closely at the liquid inside the container.
- Exclude the presence of foreign bodies (unless they are suspended particles).
- Make sure the product is accompanied by the words "for ophthalmic use". It is easy to confuse ear drops with those that go into the eye.
- Make sure the bottle hasn't been damaged. Observe the tip, without touching it, to rule out any signs of deterioration or discolouration.
Step 4. Check the expiration date
Do not use the drops if it has expired.
- The eye drops contain preservatives that preserve their integrity. However, once they have expired, there is a risk of them becoming contaminated.
- Some eye drops cannot be used for more than 30 days after opening the bottle. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you can continue to apply the product once opened.
Step 5. Clean the eye area
Use a clean cloth to gently wipe away dirt or sweat from the area around the eyes.
- If possible, use sterile gauze from a pharmacy.
- Use it only once, so throw it away.
- Try moistening it with water to more easily remove any deposits or traces of hardened material around the eyes.
- If you need to treat an infected eye, wash your hands again after removing the encrustations and before proceeding with the eye drops.
Step 6. Gently shake the bottle
Don't shake it hard.
- By shaking it gently or rolling it in your hands, you will allow the solution to blend evenly. Some eye drops contain suspended particles which, when stirred, mix evenly.
- Remove the cap and place it on a safe surface, such as a clean, dry towel.
Step 7. Avoid any contact with the tip of the bottle
When preparing to administer the eye drops, you must be careful with each step to prevent any part of the eye, including the eyelashes, from touching the tip of the bottle.
- Otherwise, you could spread pathogens inside the solution, contaminating it.
- If you continue to use the contaminated eye drops, you risk reinfecting your eye.
- If an eye accidentally bumps into the bottle tip, clean it with gauze moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol to sterilize it, buy the product again, or ask your doctor to repeat the prescription.
Step 8. Place your thumb on your eyebrows
With the bottle in hand, place your thumb just above the brow area. This way, you will be able to keep your hand steady as you let the drops fall.
Suspend the bottle about 2 cm from the lower lid to prevent it from accidentally touching your lashes
Step 9. Tilt your head back
In this position, gently pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger.
- By pulling the eyelid down, you will get a pocket in which to pour the drop.
- Set a point upwards. Focus on an area of the ceiling or an object overhead and keep both eyes open. By doing so, you will avoid blinking.
Step 10. Press the bottle
Squeeze it gently until a drop falls into the pocket created by pulling the lower lid.
- Close your eyes, without squinting. Keep them closed for two or three minutes at least.
- Lower your head as if you are looking at the floor, and keep your eyes closed for two or three minutes.
- Apply gentle pressure to the tear duct located on the inside of the eye for 30-60 seconds. This will allow the drug to be absorbed into the eye and prevent it from flowing into the postnasal drain, leaving an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
- Use a clean handkerchief to gently wipe away some of the liquid flowing from the eye or along the cheek.
Step 11. Wait five minutes before the second application
If you have to put more than one drop, wait five minutes before giving the second one so that the eye has time to absorb the drug. If you apply it immediately after, the first drop will be expelled from the other without producing any effect.
If you have to put the drops in both eyes, start with one: drop one drop, close the lid, wait two or three minutes and move on to the other
Step 12. Close the bottle
Screw the cap on, taking care not to touch the dropper.
- Do not touch the tip and do not allow it to come into contact with other objects. It is important that the solution is not contaminated.
- Wash your hands to remove any germs or drug residue.
Step 13. Wait 10-15 minutes before using another eye drop
If your doctor has prescribed two different eye drops, wait at least 15 minutes between applications.
In some cases, an ophthalmic ointment is prescribed in addition to the eye drops. Use the former and wait 10-15 minutes before applying the ointment
Step 14. Store it properly
Generally, it is possible to keep the eye drops at room temperature, but in some cases it must be stored in cooler thermal conditions.
- Medicated ones should be placed in the refrigerator once opened. Read the instructions to find out how to store. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Do not keep it in an area exposed to direct sunlight.
Step 15. Check how long you have been using it
Even if the expiration date is still valid, some eye drops should be discarded if it's been four weeks since opening.
- Write the date you opened the bottle.
- Also consult your pharmacist or read the product instructions to find out if you need to throw it away and change it after four weeks.
Part 2 of 3: Knowing When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. Contact your doctor if you experience any abnormal symptoms
If your eyes hurt or tear excessively, tell your doctor.
Other reactions you should report to your doctor are: visual changes, red or swollen eyes, pus or unusual discharge from any part of the eye
Step 2. Check for symptoms
If you don't notice any improvement, or if your symptoms even get worse, let your doctor know.
If you are treating an infection, keep the other eye under observation. If you start to see a probable spread of the infection, report it to your doctor
Step 3. Watch out for allergic reactions
If you notice a rash, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling around the eyes, swelling in any part of the face, tightness in the chest or a feeling of choking, this could be an allergic reaction.
In these cases, you need immediate medical attention. Call 911 or get taken to the emergency room. Don't drive to get to the hospital
Step 4. Rinse your eyes
If you think you are having an allergic reaction from the eye drops, rinse your eyes with an eye cleansing solution.
- Otherwise, use regular water to dilute the eye drops and prevent your eyes from absorbing it further.
- Tilt your head to the side and keep your eyes open to allow the water to drain the medicated solution.
Part 3 of 3: Giving the Eye Drops to a Child
Step 1. Wash your hands
Clean them thoroughly as if you were going to put eye drops in your eyes.
Dry them with a clean towel
Step 2. Check the product
Before preparing your baby, make sure you have the right eye drops, know which eye you need to put it in and how many drops to apply. Most of the time, it needs to be administered in both eyes.
- Rule out the presence of foreign bodies floating in the solution, check the expiration date and make sure the drug is for ophthalmic use.
- Make sure the bottle has not been damaged and that the tip is clean and not discolored. Do not touch it with your hands.
- Gently shake the solution to mix it.
Step 3. Prepare the baby
Tell him what you will need to do. Talk to him to reassure him and show him how your speech is structured.
- If it is very small, it is better to drop a drop on the back of the hand so that it realizes that it does not hurt.
- Show him the maneuvers necessary to apply the drops (in your eyes or someone else's). Make sure the dropper is closed as you simulate this.
Step 4. Hold the baby gently
It often takes two people to put eye drops in a child's eye. One has to pick him up to reassure him and keep her hands out of sight.
- Be careful not to scare him. If he is old enough to understand, tell him not to put his hands close to his eyes. Give him the freedom to decide how to follow your directions so he doesn't feel trapped.
- Suggest that he sit on his hands or lie on his back with his hands underneath. Those who help you must avoid putting their hands close to their eyes and keep their head still.
- Be quick to minimize the stress and anxiety of the little patient.
Step 5. Clean your eyes
Make sure they are clean and free of scale, dirt or sweat.
- If necessary, gently wipe with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Work from the inside to the outside of the eye.
- Discard the cloth or gauze after use. Do not continue cleaning with a contaminated tool.
Step 6. Have the child look up at the ceiling
To facilitate this maneuver, it may be helpful to hold or hang a toy overhead.
- While he is looking up at the ceiling, gently pull the lower eyelid and drop a drop into the pocket you got.
- Leave the eyelid so that the baby can close his eyes. Encourage him to keep them closed for a few minutes. Apply light pressure to the tear duct to allow the eye to absorb the solution.
- In some cases, it is necessary to keep both the upper and lower eyelids open while administering the eye drops.
Step 7. Avoid any contact with the tip of the bottle
Do not allow any part of the eye, including the eyelashes, to touch the dropper.
Otherwise, you could spread pathogens inside the solution, contaminating it
Step 8. Close the bottle
Put the cap back on to prevent the dropper from coming into contact with other objects or materials.
- Do not touch or try to clean the end of the bottle, otherwise you may contaminate the solution.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after administering the eye drops.
Step 9. Praise the child
Tell him that he has been good and obedient and that, thanks to his behavior, he will feel much better.
- Even if he hasn't been very cooperative, praise him anyway in the hope that next time he will make it easier for you.
- You can also give him a reward in addition to praising him.
Step 10. Try another method
If the child is terrified of having to take the drops, find another solution.
- This method is not as effective as the previous one, however it is better than nothing.
- Invite the child to lie down, tell him to close his eyes, then drop a drop into the inner corner of the eye, in the tear duct area.
- Tell him to open his eyes so that the drug flows into the eye.
- Ask him to close his eyes for 2-3 minutes and apply gentle pressure to the tear duct area.
- If this is the only method by which you can administer the drug, report it to your doctor. You may change the dose by prescribing more drops if you think that the one absorbed by the eye is not enough.
- Do not increase the dose without consulting your doctor, otherwise irritation or even mild inflammation may occur due to the preservatives contained in the solution.
Step 11. Wrap the baby
To make it easier for an infant or young child to give the eye drops, they can be swaddled tightly in a blanket.
- Since he won't be able to use his hands and arms with this method, he won't be able to touch his eyes while applying the drops.
- You will likely have to keep the eyelids open if he is unable to stare at an object for a long time. It will not be enough for you to lower only the lower one.
Step 12. Breast or bottle feed him
After giving him the drops, offer him something to calm him down.
Breastfeeding or bottle feeding will reassure him immediately
Advice
- If you wear contact lenses, do not use medicated eye drops. Although some emollient eye preparations are designed to be used with contact lenses, many others can damage or irritate the eyes.
- If you wear contact lenses, report this to your doctor or pharmacist so that you can purchase a suitable product. Ask for clarification on how to use or whether to remove contact lenses while taking them.
- If you have to follow eye drops and ophthalmic ointment therapy, always apply the eye drops first.
- If you are having a hard time getting the drops into your eyes, try lying down to keep your head still.
- Try using a mirror. This way, some people find it easier to put in eye drops.
- Don't use another person's eye drops, and conversely, don't let anyone use yours.
