How to put in eye drops and ointment
eye drops · how to use eye drops · eye ointment · putting drops in eyes · how to apply eye ointment
How to put in drops and apply ointment inside the lower eyelid correctly so the medicine goes in the eye and not onto the cheek.
When your doctor prescribed eye drops or ointment, for inflammation, after surgery, or for high eye pressure.
⏱ Duration: the procedure itself takes 1 to 2 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Hands. Wash your hands before each time you put in drops.
- Bottle. Check the name and expiry date. An opened bottle is usually good for a limited time, so read the leaflet.
- Lenses. Usually lenses are taken out before drops. Ask your doctor when you can put them back in.
- Several drops. Wait usually 5 minutes between different drops. Ointment goes last.
What to bring
- The drops or ointment
- Clean tissues
- A mirror
How it goes
- Wash your hands
- Tilt your head back or lie down
- Pull the lower eyelid down with a finger to make a small pocket
- Look up and put one drop in the pocket without touching the eye with the bottle
- Close your eye and lightly press the inner corner with a finger for 1 to 2 minutes
- Ointment: squeeze a thin line into the pocket of the lower eyelid and close your eye
- Blot any extra with a clean tissue
What you'll feel
- Drops may sting a little
- After ointment, vision is blurry for a few minutes, which is normal
Afterwards
- Do not rub your eye
- Ointment is easier to apply at bedtime
- Do not share your drops with others
- Use them for the whole course your doctor said
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Sudden eye pain, severe redness, or worse vision: see a doctor urgently
- Swollen eyelids and face, or trouble breathing after drops: call emergency services
Common questions
How many drops should I use?
Usually one. More will not fit in the eye, and the rest runs out.
What if I'm not sure the drop went in?
Put in one more. If you are sure it went in, do not repeat it.