Instilling Eye Drops

There are many over-the-counter eye drops available, to treat common eye problems like dry eyes, and burning and itching of the eye. However, if you are suffering from eye diseases like glaucoma or pink eye, it is best to consult a doctor and get prescription eye drops. While using eye drops, it is important that the right amount of eye drops are instilled, and the solution is fully absorbed by the eyes. Here, are the instructions for instilling eye drops properly.

Procedure for Instilling Eye Drops

• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly, and towel dry them.
• For eye care, remove any crusts around the eyes, with a clean soft lint free cloth.
• Due to prolonged storage, the eye solution may get cloudy, so always shake the bottle before using.
• Make sure the tip of the eyedropper is clean, and doesn't have any dust or impurities. The eyedropper should be closed with a cap when not in use. Avoid touching the tip to your eye or with your hands.
• For instilling eye drops, it is a good ideas to lie down, or at least tilt your head backwards. If you or the person you are instilling eye drops for, has any cervical spine injury, make sure the neck is not tilted too much.
• Now, with your index finger pull the lower eyelid down. If you are right handed, use your left hand to pull the eyelid or vice versa. This will create an eye pocket, for the eye drops to fall into. Avoid instilling eye drops on the eyeball, as this might cause itching.
• With the other hand, bring the eyedropper close to your eye. Place the other fingers of this hand on the nose, to balance and avoid any shaking of the hand.
• Now, put one drop at the eye pocket and close your eye. With your index finger, press gently at the corner of the eye, near the nose for about 1 minute. This will close the tear duct, and prevent any solution from flowing out of the eyes. In this way, put the rest of the prescribed number of eye drops.
• If you are instilling eye drops in someone else's eyes, make them lie down on a couch and follow the same procedure of instilling eye drops.
• If you are using more than one type of eye drops, wait for at least 10 minutes before using the other eye solution for instilling eye drops.
• After instilling the eye drops, hold your head back or keep lying down for a few minutes, to let the eye solution be absorbed by the eyes completely.
• Keep some tissues handy, to wipe any excess solution coming out from the eyes and avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Replace the cap of the eye dropper immediately and store it in a dark, dry and cool place.
• Wash your hands again with soap and water thoroughly and dry them with a towel.

If you ever miss a dose of the eye drop medicine, take it as soon as possible, and avoid missing another dose of the medicine. Eye drops are easy to carry, so while traveling, carry your prescribed eye drop medication. Follow the above procedure of instilling eye drops as this is the right procedure to fully absorb the eye solution so that the eye is treated effectively. But, if the eye problem persists or develops into a problem with severe symptoms like itching, burning, red eyes or pain, consult your doctor immediately.