Giving Yourself Eye Drops Is A Cinch

Numerous eye conditions require people to recurrently put medicinal drops into their eyes. The drops must get from the bottle onto the surface of the eye, and then to the inside of the eye, where they can achieve their mission. This seemingly simple undertaking can be a tricky proposition, especially when the drops miss the eye and drip down the face. Adding to the challenge is that some people are squeamish about touching their eyes. 

Here at Tropicana/215 Fwy, we treat all of our patients and their eye conditions with the utmost skill and care. It’s important to us to know that our patients are comfortable with self-administering medications. Here’s how to make giving yourself eye drops a breeze:

1. Tilt your head back while sitting, standing or lying back. Place your index finger on the middle of the soft spot just below your lower lid. Gently pull down the lid until a pocket is formed. 
2. Look up. Squeeze one drop into the lower lid’s pocket. Though it may be quite tempting, don't blink or wipe your eye.
3. If you have shaky hands, try approaching your eye from the side. This will help you steady your hand by resting it on your face.
4. Be careful to not let the tip of the dropper touch any part of your eye.
5. Close your eye and keep it closed for three minutes without blinking. 
6. Blot around your eyes to remove any excess.
7. Make sure the dropper stays clean.
8. Store eye drops and all medicines out of the reach of children and pets

An eyelid can hold about only one drop, so any excess will just run out of the eye. That’s why it’s better to put in a bit more than not enough. The drop gets fully absorbed after two minutes. If you use more than one eye drop medication, you can now put in a different drop.

Your healthy vision is our top priority. At the office of Tropicana/215 Fwy, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate eye care. For more information about our office and many services, please call today.