Making Eye Drops Easier: A Practical Guide
Using prescription or over-the-counter eye drops is a common part of managing conditions like glaucoma, dry eye, infections, or allergies, especially for seniors. However, getting those tiny drops into the eye correctly can sometimes be tricky, particularly if you have unsteady hands, arthritis, or are helping someone else.
Proper technique is important not just to make sure the medication gets where it needs to go, but also to avoid wasting drops and prevent contamination or injury. This step-by-step guide from Elderly Care First provides simple instructions for both self-administration and helping a loved one, keeping the needs of seniors in mind.
Preparation: Getting Ready
Before you start, take these simple preparation steps:
- Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Use soap and water to clean your hands well to prevent introducing germs into the eye. Dry them with a clean towel.
- Check the Bottle: Make sure you have the correct eye drop medication. Check the expiry date. Read the label for any specific instructions (like shaking the bottle).
- Get Comfortable: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position where you feel stable. Having a mirror nearby can be helpful if you’re putting drops in your own eyes.
- Prepare the Bottle: Remove the cap and place it on a clean surface. Be careful not to touch the dropper tip with your fingers or anything else to keep it sterile. If you’re helping someone, explain what you’re about to do.
Step-by-Step: Putting Drops in Your Own Eyes
- Tilt Your Head Back: Look up towards the ceiling.
- Gently Pull Down Lower Eyelid: Use one finger (usually your index finger) to gently pull down the skin below your lower eyelid. This creates a small pocket between your eyelid and your eyeball.
- Tip for Unsteady Hands: Try resting the heel of the hand holding the dropper bottle gently against your forehead or the bridge of your nose for added stability.
- Position the Dropper: Bring the eye drop bottle close to your eye (about an inch away), pointing the tip towards the pocket you created. Crucially, do NOT let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, or eyelashes.
- Squeeze Gently: Squeeze the bottle gently to release ONE drop into the lower eyelid pocket.
- Close Your Eye Gently: Release your lower eyelid and close your eye slowly. Do not squeeze your eye shut tightly or blink rapidly, as this can push the drop out.
- Apply Gentle Pressure (Nasolacrimal Occlusion): Use a clean finger to apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1-2 minutes. This helps keep the drop in the eye and prevents it from draining down into your nasal passage too quickly (which can sometimes cause a taste in the mouth or reduce the medication’s effectiveness in the eye).
- Wipe Away Excess: Use a clean tissue to gently blot away any excess liquid from around your eye.
- Replace the Cap: Immediately put the cap back on the bottle and tighten it. Don’t wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
- Wash Hands Again: Wash your hands to remove any stray medication.
Step-by-Step: Helping Someone Else Put in Eye Drops
- Wash Your Hands: Start with clean hands.
- Position the Person: Have the person lie down comfortably or sit with their head tilted well back, looking up at the ceiling. Explain each step as you go.
- Gently Pull Down Lower Eyelid: Use one finger to gently pull down their lower eyelid to create the pocket.
- Steady Your Hand: Rest the hand holding the dropper bottle gently on the person’s forehead for stability.
- Position the Dropper: Bring the dropper tip close (about an inch away) above the eye pocket, taking care not to touch their eye or eyelid.
- Release One Drop: Gently squeeze the bottle to release one drop into the pocket.
- Ask Them to Close Eye Gently: Instruct the person to close their eye slowly (without squeezing).
- Apply Gentle Pressure: If instructed by their doctor, apply gentle pressure to the inner corner of their eye near the nose with your clean finger for 1-2 minutes.
- Wipe Excess: Gently wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.
- Replace Cap & Wash Hands: Secure the cap back on the bottle and wash your hands.
Tips for Success and Common Issues
- What if I blink or miss? It happens! If you’re pretty sure the drop didn’t get in, it’s usually okay to try again with one more drop. Try not to touch the dropper tip. Practice helps.
- Using multiple types of eye drops? If you need to use more than one type of drop at the same time, wait at least 5 minutes between different medications to prevent them from washing each other out. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the correct order if needed.
- Difficulty squeezing the bottle? If arthritis makes squeezing difficult, ask your pharmacist if the medication comes in a different type of dispenser or if there are aids available.
- Drops sting or blur vision? Some drops cause temporary stinging or blurring. This is often normal, but mention it to your doctor if it’s severe or persistent. Don’t drive until vision clears.
Using Eye Drop Aids/Devices
Several helpful devices are available to make using eye drops easier, especially for those with arthritis, tremors, or difficulty aiming. These guides hold the bottle steady and help position the dropper correctly. Ask your eye doctor or pharmacist about options. Recommended Solution
Safety & Hygiene First!
- Never touch the dropper tip to any surface, including your eye, eyelid, or fingers. This prevents contamination.
- Do not share your eye drop medication with anyone else.
- Store drops as directed (some may need refrigeration).
- Discard drops by the expiration date or as recommended after opening (often 28 days – check the label or ask your pharmacist).
Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect
Learning to use eye drops effectively might take a little practice, but following these steps can make the process easier and safer. Don’t hesitate to ask your eye doctor or pharmacist to demonstrate the technique for you or a loved one. Proper use ensures the medication works effectively to protect your precious eyesight.
Elderly Care First hopes this guide helps make eye drop administration less daunting and more successful!
