How to Use Eye Drops Correctly: Tips, Hygiene and Safety

6 min read · Medicines · By the Asthra Health Care team

Why technique matters

Eye drops treat many problems, from dry eyes and allergies to infections and glaucoma. The eye can hold only a small amount of liquid, so extra drops simply spill out onto the cheek. If the drop misses or is blinked away, the medicine does not work and the condition may worsen. For long-term conditions like glaucoma, missed or wasted drops can slowly damage vision without any pain.

Step-by-step: putting in eye drops

Read the label first and check the expiry date and the name on the bottle, since eye drops and ear drops can look alike. Some suspensions must be shaken before use. Take off contact lenses unless your doctor or the label says the drops are safe to use with lenses.

• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them
• Tilt your head back or lie down and look up
• Gently pull down the lower eyelid to make a small pocket
• Hold the bottle above the eye without touching the eye, lashes or skin
• Squeeze one drop into the pocket
• Close your eye gently for a minute or two without blinking hard
• Press lightly on the inner corner of the eye near the nose during this time

Why pressing the inner corner helps

The inner corner of the eye has a tiny drainage channel that leads into the nose and throat. Pressing gently on it after putting in a drop keeps the medicine in the eye longer and reduces the amount swallowed into the body. This matters especially for glaucoma drops, some of which can affect the heart rate or breathing if absorbed. It also reduces the bitter taste some people notice after using drops.

Using more than one type of drop

If your doctor has prescribed two or more different drops, wait several minutes between them so that the first is not washed out by the second. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you the best order. Eye ointments are usually applied last, as they form a layer that can block drops.

To apply ointment, pull down the lower lid and squeeze a thin line into the pocket without touching the eye. Blink gently to spread it. Vision may blur for a short time, so avoid driving or climbing stairs immediately afterwards. Many people find it easiest to use ointment at bedtime for this reason.

Keeping drops clean and safe

An eye drop bottle can easily become contaminated with germs if the tip touches the eye, fingers or any surface. Contaminated drops can cause serious eye infections. Most bottles should be thrown away a few weeks after opening, even if medicine remains; check the label for the exact period.

Never share your eye drops with family members, even during conjunctivitis outbreaks in the monsoon, when many people in one household get red eyes at once. Each person should have their own bottle, towel and handkerchief. Wash hands often and avoid touching or rubbing the eyes to stop infection spreading.

Steroid and antibiotic eye drops

Some eye drops contain steroids, antibiotics or both. Steroid eye drops can raise eye pressure, cause cataracts and make certain infections, such as viral or fungal ones, much worse. Using them without a doctor's check can lead to permanent vision loss. These drops should be used only on a doctor's prescription, ideally after an eye examination.

Do not reuse old eye drops from a previous illness, and do not stop prescribed glaucoma or steroid drops on your own. Some steroid drops need to be reduced gradually. Glaucoma drops usually need to be used for life to protect vision, so ask your eye doctor before making any change.

Children, elderly and special situations

For young children, it may be easier to have them lie down with eyes closed, place the drop at the inner corner, and let it flow in when they open their eyes. Elderly people with shaky hands can ask a family member to help or use a bottle aid. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should tell the doctor before using any medicated drops.

If your eye becomes more red, painful or watery, or your vision changes after starting drops, stop and consult a doctor or pharmacist promptly. Some people are allergic to a drop or its preservative, and a different product can easily be found once the problem is identified. For any doubt about your eye drops, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

This article is general health information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or combine medicines on your own — always follow your doctor's prescription and ask your pharmacist if unsure.