How To Use Your Eye Drops

Using eye drops or eye ointment, especially for those who are unfamiliar with touching their eyes, can be difficult and frustrating. However, with a couple of tips, tricks, and practice, anyone can learn how to put eye drops in their eyes with ease. Want to learn how to put eye drops in? Refer to the tips below! 

Use eye drops as follows:

Step 1: Bend your head back, and look up toward your eyebrows. With one finger, gently pull the lower lid down to form a small pocket.

Step 2: Drop the medicine into the pocket. (For ointment, squeeze a grain of rice sized amount into the pocket.) Do not touch the dropper against the eyelid or anything else. 

Step 3: Close your eyes for one minute to allow your eye to absorb the medicine. Try not to blink.

While your eyes are closed, gently press your finger against the area between the inner corner of your eye and your nose. This blocks the tear drainage duct and prevents the drop from flowing into the nose and back of the throat. (Do not press on the eyeball.)

Step 4: Wipe any excess liquid that may have collected near the eye. If you are using more than one kind of eye drop, wait at least five minutes before using another eye drop. This allows the first drop to fully absorb before washing it out with the next medication. Remember, if using ointment, it can blur your vision for up to thirty minutes, so please plan accordingly.