How to Put Eye Drops

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Putting drops in correctly makes them work better and reduces side effects. Here is the simplest way. ગુજરાતીમાં વાંચો (Read in Gujarati).

Eye drops: step by step

1. Wash your hands. Check the name and expiry date. Shake the bottle if it is a white or cloudy suspension.
2. Tilt your head back, or lie down, and look up.
3. Gently pull down the lower lid to make a small pocket.
4. Hold the bottle above the eye without touching the eye or lashes, and squeeze one drop into the pocket.
5. Close the eye gently (do not squeeze) and press lightly on the inner corner near the nose for 1–2 minutes.
6. Wipe away any extra with a clean tissue. Replace the cap.

Ointment

1. Pull down the lower lid and squeeze a 1 cm line of ointment along the inside of the lid, without touching the eye.
2. Blink a few times. Vision will be blurred for a while, so ointment is often used at bedtime.

Good to know

• More than one drop? Wait at least 5 minutes between different drops. Use ointment last.
• One drop is enough; the eye cannot hold more.
• If you are not sure the drop went in, put in one more.
• Throw away most bottles 4 weeks after opening (write the opening date on the box), unless the label says otherwise.
• Never share eye drops, and do not use leftover drops from someone else.
• Remove contact lenses before drops unless your doctor says otherwise; wait 15 minutes before putting them back.

Tips for children and older adults

• Children: lie the child down, ask them to close their eyes, and put the drop in the inner corner; it will run in when they open their eyes.
• Shaky hands: rest your hand on your forehead or cheek, or use a drop-aid device. Keeping the bottle in the fridge (if allowed) helps you feel the drop go in.
• Ask a family member to help, and use our eye drop timetable maker to keep track.

Related: types of eye drops, care after cataract surgery.