Applying eye drops may be necessary to maintain your visual health. Eye drops are often included as a type of pink eye, glaucoma or dry eye treatment.
For optimal effects, follow these steps to properly administer your eye drops:
- Wash your hands
- Remove the lid (avoid touching the dropper tip)
- Slightly tilt your head back
- Use one hand to pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pocket
- With your other hand, hold the eye dropper directly over the eyelid pocket
- Look up and squeeze the eye drop bottle to let the eye drop fall into the pocket
- Close your eyes—do not blink
- Wipe any liquid from around your eyes, then open them
If you are having trouble using your eye drops, don’t hesitate to reach out to the eye doctors at Park Slope Eye in Brooklyn, NY.
What to Do When Administering Eye Drops
Start by reading the label on the bottle. Look for a label or description that shows “for ophthalmic use” or anything that indicates it’s for your eyes. Make sure the eye drops you have are what your doctor prescribed and that the medication has not expired. If everything checks out, wash your hands thoroughly. Dry your hands with a clean towel and use it to turn off the faucet.
If your eyes are crusty or emitting discharge, gently dab them with clean, wet cotton balls. Wipe your eyes from the inner part (nose side) going outward. Then, shake the bottle of eye drops gently and remove the cap, resting it on a clean tissue. Your adult and pediatric eye doctor reminds you to avoid touching the tip of the bottle.
Tilt your head slightly, look up to the ceiling, and use your free hand to pull down the lower eyelid. This forms a pocket where you’ll drop the medication. Position the hand holding the bottle above the eye and squeeze the bottle gently. Close your eyes gently and blot the excess water with clean tissue. Press the inner part of your eyes for two to three minutes or as long as your optometrist tells you to allow proper absorption of the eye drops.
Things to Remember
Here are some tips to help you successfully administer your eye drops:
- Point your fingernails away from your eyes to avoid scratching yourself
- Open both eyes, even when you’re only administering eye drops on one eye at a time
- Do not squeeze or blink your eyes immediately after
- Wait for at least two minutes if you’re applying the same medication on the same eye
- If it’s a different kind of medication, a five-minute interval should be observed
For trusted optometry products and services, turn to Park Slope Eye. We provide quality eyeglasses, comprehensive eye exams and more. Complete our form to schedule an appointment and learn more about us. We serve Brooklyn and nearby NY areas.
