Many eye conditions are treated with drops, from dry eye and infections to glaucoma, where drops may be used every day for years. Putting drops in correctly makes them work better and wastes less medicine.
Step by step
Wash your hands with soap and water
Check the label, and shake the bottle if the instructions say so
Tilt your head back, or lie down, and look up
Gently pull down your lower eyelid to make a small pocket
Hold the bottle above the eye and squeeze one drop into the pocket. Do not let the tip touch your eye, eyelashes or fingers
Close your eye gently. Do not blink hard or squeeze
Press lightly on the inner corner of the eye, next to the nose, for one to two minutes. This keeps the drop in the eye and reduces how much is absorbed into the body
Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue
One drop is enough. The eye cannot hold more, and the extra runs down the cheek.
Using more than one drop
Wait at least five minutes between different eye drops, otherwise the second drop washes the first one out. If you use an eye gel or ointment as well, put it in last.
Looking after the bottle
Keep the cap on and never share eye drops
Write the date you opened the bottle on the label. Most drops are thrown away 28 days after opening, unless the pack says otherwise
Do not use leftover drops from an earlier problem or from someone else
Store as the pack says. Some drops are kept in the fridge
Tips
If you find it hard to aim, ask a family member to help, or lie down and place the drop in the inner corner of the closed eye, then open the eye
Remove soft contact lenses before using drops unless they are made for lens wearers
Use your drops exactly as prescribed by your doctor and bring them to your appointments
When to seek urgent care
Stop the drops and get same-day eye care if the eye becomes more red, painful or swollen, or your vision gets worse after starting a new drop.
