How to use drops?

Drop Applications
Unsurprisingly, one of the most important reasons for poor response to topical therapy is simply the drop not getting into the eye. This is not due to lack of motivation as I find all patients intelligent and displaying insight into their ocular health. Rather, it’s actually the technique for instilling drops that can be refined somewhat. I hope these tips in this section will help achieve greater success in drop application. This being said, I share frustrations with many of you regarding the delivery mechanism of the drops: the little bottles and minims are not overly user friendly! I have trouble with them! My rheumatologist brother informs me patients with other co-morbidities such as arthritis would struggle immensely and certainly it is difficult to disagree with this.

• If possible, get help
  • Having a loved one close to hand in order to help instil the drops is of course a huge bonus
• Prior to instilling drops, ensure you have the right bottle with the right medication
• Wash your hands prior to proceeding
  • Whilst it is not an aseptic procedure, good hygiene is always advisable
• Get comfortable
  • I personally use contact lenses for sports and I find my eyes dry, requiring lubricant administration
  • I like to lie down on the bed in order to instil drops, looking up and pulling my lower lid down
  • Alternatively, sit in a comfy chair and lean your head slightly backwards (slight hyper-extension of your neck)
• Can pivot the bottle on the bridge of your nose or eyebrow
• Squeeze the bottle, make sure the tip stays away from the eyelashes or eyeball itself
• Dab any access fluid with a clean tissue

If despite these tips, it’s still difficult to administer drops, please do enquire from your Doctor about adjuncts and aids to help squeeze the bottles with greater ease.