How to Instill Eye Drops to a Patient

There are many reasons a physician may need to use eyedrops on a patient. The patient may have something in their eye, or the physician may need to use drops to dilate the pupils to get a better look at them. Whatever the reason, the procedure for applying the eyedrops is the same. It is important that this procedure is followed for the safety of both the patient and the physician.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Paper towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them with a paper towel.

• 2

  Instruct the patient to lie back so you are not applying the drops at an angle.

• 3

  Shake the eyedrop bottle and inspect the dropper, without touching it, to make sure there are no cracks or broken pieces.

• 4

  Open the patient's bottom eyelid by pulling it down with your index finger. This creates a pocket.

• 5

  Drip the designated amount of eyedrops into the eye pocket, without allowing the dropper to touch the eye. Wait a second and then release the bottom eyelid.

• 6

  Instruct the patient to close his eye and press gently with one finger over the corner of the eye closest to his nose for 2 minutes. This will keep the drops in the eye so that they can do their job.

• 7

  Repeat with the second eye if needed.