How to Apply Eye Drops

Eye drops are used for a wide number of reasons. From dry, itchy eyes to treating glaucoma, eye drops are extremely effective for many ocular conditions.

While they are very effective, eye drops can also be frustrating to use. Most people are lucky if they can get a single drop in their eye, let alone a prescribed dose of two. In many cases, the drop lands on the cheek or on your fingers. This makes it hard to get the right dosage of medication in your eye and it also causes you to waste much of your bottle. Here is how to apply eye drops properly.

Things You'll Need

• Eye drops
• Tissue
• Soap
• Clean, dry towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with warm water and soap. Dry them off with a clean towel.

• 2

  If the directions on your bottle of eye drops say to shake the medication, then shake it. Regular, over-the-counter lubricating eye drops do not need to be shaken.

• 3

  Unscrew the cap on your eye drops and tilt your head back.

• 4

  Place the fingertips of your free hand on the lower eyelid and gently pull the eyelid down. This will create a small pocket at the base of your eye.

• 5

  Holding the lid down, position the eye drop tip above the pocket. Roll your eyes toward the top of your head and gently squeeze the bottle of eye drops.

• 6

  If more than one drop gets administered, have a tissue nearby to wipe away the excess.

• 7

  If you are using prescription eye drops, then follow these directions for each drop that is prescribed by your doctor.