Eye drops and ointments could help in resolving several eye problems wherein either one or both are employed for treatment.
Although broadly used, often the correct way of using eye ointments and drops is still not known. However with minor groundwork, one could place drops or ointments in one’s own eyes or others with ease and comfort.
- Eye ointments and drops aid in direct delivery of medicine to the eyes, maintaining optimal moisture and lubrication levels, also allaying inflammation and watering.
- Disinfecting hands prior to and subsequent to insertion of drops or ointments. In case one has throwaway medical hand gloves then wearing them while putting eye ointment or drops in a person’s eyes. Despite having worn hand gloves while putting eye drops yet it is imperative that hands be washed thereafter.
- Not crossing the prescribed limit of dosage when using eye drops or ointments as they have side effects and could be hurtful to the eyes.
It is imperative to ensure that the dropper is free of any contamination and not letting it come in contact with the eye, eyelash, eyelids or any other surface to keep it bacteria-free.- In case dropper is detached from the bottle and comes in contact with the eyes, avoid placing it back in that bottle and instead buying a new one from the medical store.
- Never committing the clanger of using eye ointment or drops that have been used by someone else.
- Avoiding using eye contacts in case of an eye infection when on a course of eye drops or ointments until the eye doctor has permitted it.
- At times, when firstly put in the eyes, these medicines could cause a mild stinging sensation in the eye that would subside in sometime. Medicine drops when placed in the eyes could be at times be tasted in the mouth or at times be felt in the nose or dribble down the nose and are normal occurrences and would settle on its own.
- Eye drop or ointment that has been advised for a particular problem must not be used for treating another eye issue. The drops or ointments must be stored as per directions mentioned on the bottle and not saving any remnant eye drops or ointment.
- Eye drops and ointments are generally prescribed for treating eye problems like dry eye, pinkeye, allergic reactions.
Eye drop Application Tips
- In case of bigger kids and grownups tilt the head backwards, pulling the lower eyelid downwards with fingertips for creating a tiny pocket into which dropper is squeezed into, after which the eyes are to be kept closed for about a minute’s time for allowing absorption of the eye drops.
- In younger kids, having them lie down and shut their eyes. Then placing a drop of the eye medicine in the inner crook of the shut eye. On opening the eye, the medicine drop would spread all over the eye.
Eye Ointment Application Tips
The way of applying eye ointment varies a little as that used for insertion of eye drops. In case of bigger kids and adults pulling downward the lower eyelid using fingertips for creating a small pocket and putting a fine ointment line into it. Closing eyes for about a minute for letting ointment absorption.- For younger kids lying down with eyes shut, pulling down the lower eyelid for creating a pocket and putting a fine stripe of ointment in it. With the kid’s eyes shut, asking the kid for moving his/her eyeball sideways for facilitating overall spread of ointment in the eye.
