Administering Eye Drops

For eye care and most common eye problems, one can buy eye drops over-the-counter. Common eye problems like dry eyes and itching or burning of eyes can be remedied at home, using over-the-counter eye drops. However, if you are having an eye condition like pink eye infection or glaucoma, then it is important that you consult a doctor to get the prescription. Also, get a prescription for the eye drops if you are using it to treat babies or pets.

How to Administer Eye Drops

• First wash your hands, cleaning them with soap and water and towel dry them.
• Remove any crusts around the eye, with a soft lint free cloth.
• Shake the bottle of eye drops well before using it.
• For better eye care, ensure that the tip of the eyedropper is clean and doesn't have any impurities or dust in it. The eyedropper should be closed with a cap when not in use.
• To instill the eye drops you or the person should lie down. Follow the important tips given below to administer eye drops to children, infant or pets. If you don't have any cervical spine injury then you can administer eye drops to yourself while sitting or standing too.
• Pull the lower eyelid down with your index finger. With your other hand bring the eyedropper near your eye.
• Instill one drop in your eye, making sure to avoid touching the eyeball. Close your eye. Wait for a minute and put another drop.
• This way administer the number of prescribed eye drops.
• If you are using more than one type of eye drop solution, then wait for 10 minutes before you use the second eye drop solution.
• After you are done administering the eye drops, hold the head back for a few minutes, or keep lying down if you are administering eye drops while lying down. This will ensure the proper absorption of the eye drop medication.
• You can keep some tissues handy, to wipe off any excess solution that comes out of your eyes.
• After you are done instilling eye drops, replace the cap back on the bottle. Store it in a cool, dry and dark place.
• Again wash your hands clean with soap and water thoroughly, and dry them using a towel.

Important Tips

Administration to Babies: To administer eye drops to a baby, you should lay down the baby on the bed, move the baby's head, lean over the baby and gently place the baby's head between your knees. If required, slightly squeeze the baby's head to avoid the baby from moving too much.

Administration to Children: When administering eye drops for children explain to them how you are going to give them the medicine. Ask them to lie still for a minute while putting eye drops and later on you can give the child a treat.

Administration to Dogs: Ask somebody to hold your dog's front legs and chest. If you have a small dog, then wrap the dog in a blanket firmly. If you are instilling eye drops for the dog in the right eye, then stand on the left side of the dog's body. Take the medication in your hand and rest your hand on top of their head, to stabilize it.

However, it is important that when you are using eye drops, the proper number of prescription eye drops are instilled and allowed to be properly absorbed by the eyes to ensure that the medicine is effective.