EYE DROPS TIPS

Start by tilting your head backward while sitting, standing, or lying down. With your index finger placed on the soft spot just below the lower lid, gently pull down to form a pocket.

Look up. Squeeze one drop into the pocket in your lower lid. Don’t blink, wipe your eye, or touch the tip of the bottle on your eye or face.

Close your eye. Keep closed for three minutes without blinking.
Optional: Gently press on the inside corner of your closed eyes with your index finger and thumb for two to three minutes (to keep the drops from draining into your throat and getting into your system).

Blot around your eyes to remove any excess.

If you are still having trouble putting eye drops in, here are some tips that may help:

IF YOUR HANDS ARE SHAKING
Try approaching your eye from the side so you can rest your hand on your face to help steady your hand.

If shaky hands are still a problem, you might try using a 1 or 2 pound wrist weight (you can get these at any sporting goods store). The extra weight around the wrist of the hand you’re using can decrease mild shaking.

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE DROP INTO YOUR EYE
Try This. With your head turned to the side or lying on your side, close your eyes. Place a drop in the inner corner of your eyelid (the side closest to the bridge of your nose). By opening your eyes slowly, the drop should fall right into your eye.

If you are still not sure the drop actually got in your eye, put in another drop. The eyelids can hold only about one drop, so any excess will just run out of the eye. It is better to have excess run out than to not have enough medication in your eye.

HAVING TROUBLE HOLDING ONTO THE BOTTLE?
If the eye drop bottle feels too small to hold (in cases where a dropper isn’t used and the drop comes directly from the bottle), try wrapping something (like a paper towel) around the bottle.

You can use anything that will make the bottle wider. This may be helpful in some mild cases of arthritis in the hands.

Helpful devices are available that can assist you with putting the drops in your eye. If you continue to have trouble despite these suggestions, ask your eye doctor if such a device might be useful to you.

REMEMBER

1. Follow your doctor’s orders.
2. Be sure your doctor knows about any other drugs you may be taking (including over-the-counter items like vitamins, aspirin, and herbal supplements) and about any allergies you may have.
3. Wash your hands before putting in your eye drops.
4. Be careful not to let the tip of the dropper touch any part of your eye.
5. Make sure the dropper stays clean.
6. If you are putting in more than one drop or more than one type of eye drop, wait five minutes before putting the next drop in. This will keep the first drop from being washed out by the second before it has had time to work.
7. Store eye drops and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Last reviewed on March 21, 2023