Five Quick Tips For Using Eye Drops Safely And Effectively
Have you been prescribed eye drops for an infection, surgical post-care, or another issue? In order to ensure the drops do their job and don't cause more harm than good, you'll want to make sure you're using them properly. Follow these tips.
Place the drops in your lower lid.
In order to ensure the entire drop makes it into your eye, you'll want to focus on placing the drop in your lower eyelid. Use the thumb and forefinger of one hand to "pinch" your lower eyelid, creating a pocket. Then, hold the bottle an inch or so above your lower eyelid while tilting your head back, and squeeze the drop in. Release your pinch hold, and then close your eye. The drop should evenly spread across your eye rather than running down your face as it may if you squeeze it directly onto your eyeball.
Don't touch the dropper.
Do not touch the dropper tip part of the container with your fingers, a cotton ball, or any other item. If you do, you risk introducing bacteria to the eye drops, which could lead to an eye infection. Always put the lid back on your bottle immediately after using the drops so you don't accidentally bump the dropper or touch it.
Insert one drop at a time.
If your eye doctor tells you to insert 2, 3, or more drops with each use, you need to insert them one at a time to ensure they don't just drip down your face. Insert one drop. Close your eye for a minute, then insert additional drops one at a time if needed, closing your eye for a few seconds after each drop.
Wait between medications.
If you have to use more than one eye-drop based medication, make sure you wait at least a few minutes between medications. This way, one will be absorbed into your eye already so that the next one can take effect without mixing with it. How long you should wait will depend on your medications. Ask your eye doctor how long you should wait between your eye drops, and then adhere to that recommendation closely.
Wash your hands first.
Inserting eye drops involves putting your fingers near your eyes and eyelids, so make sure your hands are clean. Wash them with antibacterial soap directly before inserting your eye drops. Do not use hand sanitizer. The alcohol it contains may be irritating if it accidentally gets in or near your eyes
For more information or advice, consider contacting your ophthalmologist today.