How to Take Glaucoma Drops

Glaucoma refers to medical conditions that cause damage in your optic nerve. This is usually caused by an increased pressure inside the affected eye. Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness. The elderly, those with a family history of the disorder, as well as people with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, are at an increased risk for glaucoma. If it is diagnosed and treated early, however, you may be able to prevent further damage and vision loss. One treatment option is using medicated eye drops.

Things You'll Need

• Eye drops
• Tissue

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Instructions

Information

• 1

  Disclose all of your medical conditions to your doctor. Certain medical conditions can contraindicate eye drops for glaucoma. This is because eye drops are absorbed into the blood vessels in your eye and your bloodstream will carry a small amount of it. This may affect your breathing and heart rate. Further, if you have some medical conditions, such as asthma, glaucoma eye drops can make these conditions worse. Eye drops may also interfere with other medications you are taking. So before you consider taking eye drops for your glaucoma, discuss them thoroughly with your doctor.

• 2

  Inform yourself of all the possible types of eye drops. Some of these types include beta-blockers, prostaglandins, alpha-adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and epinephrine. Depending on your own individual needs, your doctor will select the medication that will work best. She may prescribe a combination of medications.

• 3

  Expect the potential for side effects. All medications carry the risk of unwanted side effects. Your symptoms will vary depending on which medication you take. If any side effects worry you, discuss them with your doctor. You may experience burning in the eyes when you administer the drops, darkening of the eye, heart rate decrease or increase, heart palpitations, itching, dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes, upper lid elevation and reduced night vision.

Administration

• 4

  Wash your hands before administering your eye drops. In order to prevent possible germ contamination, never allow the dropper to touch your eye, eyelid or anywhere else. Always keep the dropper clean.

• 5

  Tilt your head back. You can sit, lie down or stand to put your drops in. Pull down gently on your lower lid until a "pocket" forms. Carefully allow a drop to fall into the pocket. Release your lower lid slowly and gently close your eyes (do not squint or shut them tightly).

• 6

  Keep your eye drop in your eye by pressing gently on the corner of your eyes (closest to your nose). Press gently for about two minutes. Afterward, you can use a tissue to gently blot any excess eye drops.

• 7

  Follow your doctor's dosing instructions carefully. If you need to take many different drops, it may help you to make a record of which ones you've already taken for that specific day. When taking more than one eye drop, wait five minutes before administering the next drop.