A 6-Step Guide to Applying Eye Drops

Your eye doctor may recommend applying eye drops to keep your eyes in good health. This could be part of your routine contact lens care or it could also be to relieve dry eyes. To ensure the eye drops’ effectiveness, follow these six steps when applying them:

Step #1: Read the Label on the Bottle

Look for a description indicating the drops are “for ophthalmic use.” Make sure the medication you have is the one prescribed by your optometrist and it’s not expired.

Step #2: Wash Your Hands

Thorough hand washing is critical whenever it comes to touching your eyes or handling corrective eyewear. Doing so lowers the risk of hand-eye transmission of germs.

Step #3: Open the Bottle

Gently shake the bottle and remove the cap. You can leave the cap on a clean tissue. Avoid touching the tip of the bottle throughout the process.

Step #4: Observe Proper Positioning

Next, tilt your head back slightly and look up to the ceiling. Use one hand to pull down your lower eyelid, forming a pocket. Hold the bottle with your other hand and place it directly above the pocket.

Step #5: Apply Eye Drops 

Once everything’s in place, gently squeeze the bottle to apply the number of drops prescribed by your optometrist. Close your eyes and avoid blinking. Using your finger, apply pressure to the corner of the eye where it meets your nose for two to three minutes. Doing so encourages proper absorption of the medication. Blot any excess solution with a clean tissue before opening your eyes.

To learn more tips on how to properly instill eye drops, or to learn about our wide selection of high-quality eyeglasses, call us at (208) 514-1858. We serve Eagle, Meridian and nearby Idaho communities.