Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Eye on the Eyedrops
If you have glaucoma, you probably use eyedrops at least once a day to lower the pressure within your eye. Although using eyedrops may sound simple enough, in reality, it's not always easy to get them in your eye or to remember to take them. This guide offers tips on the best ways to get your eyedrops exactly where they're supposed to be.
The first barrier for many people is remembering to use their eyedrops. If you find that you're forgetting your eyedrops, try using these strategies.
- Develop a routine. Associate using eyedrops with another activity that you do each day, such as brushing your teeth.
- Use reminders. Stick a note on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator or ask your spouse or other family members to remind you to use your eyedrops.
- Simplify your regimen. Ask your doctor to simplify your eyedrop regimen; for example, you may be able to switch to once-a-day drops or a combination product that contains two types of eyedrops in one bottle.
Following these simple tips can help you get your eyedrops into your eye.
- Lie down. The more horizontal your face, the better the chances that the eyedrop will go in your eye and stay there. Even if you only hit the eyelids, by staying horizontal and blinking after the drops hit the corner of your eyelids, enough will get in your eye.
- Position the bottle and your eyelid. Hold the bottle vertically between your thumb and index finger and about an inch above your eye. With your other hand, carefully pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger, creating a small pocket, which increases the amount of eye surface available to catch the eyedrop.
- Carefully close your eye. After the eyedrop gets in your eye, close it, but don't squeeze or close it too tightly. Gently press the inside corner of your eyelid at your tear duct, for at least one minute. This will allow your eye to absorb the medicine.
- Wait before using other drops. If you use several kinds of eyedrops or more than one drop of a single medication, wait at least one minute before applying the next drop.
Troubleshooting: Shaky hands? If your hands are too shaky, try resting your palm on your cheek as you apply the eyedrops. Eyedrops still not going in? Lie down, turn your head to the side and gently close your eyes. Place a drop on the inside corner of your eyelid, then open your eyes slowly. The drop should go in. If it's unclear whether a drop went in, try another. Your eye can only hold about one eyedrop, so any excess will roll away.
Posted in Vision on March 2, 2010
Reviewed January 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
Notify Me
Would you like us to inform you when we post new Vision Health Alerts?
Comments
Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.
The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or Remedy Health Media, LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.
My Rx calls for one drop of Cosopt in each eye twice a day. Since the horizontal position is the logical way to administer eyedrops I do so at bedtime and just before rising next morn. For a reminder, I return the dispenser to its box after the AM application because the instructions say not to expose the fluid to light. However, after the bedtime treatment I leave the dispenser OUT of its box since it's "lights out". Thereby I am alerted if I failed to use them. Need I say I keep the Rx at my bedside?
Posted by: clearair | April 11, 2010 8:03 PM
Post a Comment
Already a subscriber?
Login
New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
In the article, section "Troubleshooting" it says "Lie down, turn your head to the side and gently close your eyes. Place a drop on the inside corner of your eyelid, then open your eyes slowly." Question: How do you "Place a drop on the inside corner of your eyelid" when your eyes are closed?
Posted by: eyeap | April 2, 2010 10:10 AM