EYE DROPS INSTILLATION FOR BSC NURSING FIRST YEAR

1. Mr. Manikandan.T,
RN., RM., M.Sc(N)., D.C.A .,(Ph.D)
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing,
VMCON, Puducherry.

2.  Eye Drop instillation is a instillation of prescribed occular
preparation into the eyes.

3.  This is a clean procedure where both eyes may require
treatment, each eye must be treated separately. If
infection is present, there should be 2 bottles of
medication, one for each eye to prevent cross
contamination.
 If only one container, the least affected eye should be
treated first to minimize the likelihood of transfer of
infection from one eye to the other.
 If more than one medication is being inserted into the eye,
care must be taken to give time for the first medication to
be absorbed, before applying further medication

4.  Treat infection
 To dilate or contract pupil
 To instill medication before examination or
surgery to eyes
 To relive pain, itching, discomfort.
 Lubricate eyes
 To stain cornea for identifying abrasion and
scars

5.  Prescribed eye drops/ointment
 Dressing pack (small gauze/ cotton ball)
 Apron
 Kidney tray
 Normal saline
 Medication card
 Prescribed medication form
 Record form

6.  Identify the patient
 Explain
 Check history of allergy
 Explain the benefits and potential side effects
 Collect and check all equipment
 Encourage the patient to sit / lie with head tilted backwards
and well supported
 Check the prescription designating drops
 OD – Occular Dexter (Right Eye)
 OS – Occular Sinister (Left Eye)
 OU – Occular Uterque (Both Eyes)

7.  Remove cap from the container and kee it in
clean surface
 Ensure adequate light source
 Gently pull down the lower eyelid and ask the
patient to look upward. Instill prescribed number
of drops into center of lower fornix
 If additional eye drop ordered wait for 5 minutes
between each medication
 documentation

8.  Wash hands
 Hold the nozzle of the tube approximately 2.5
cm above the eye
 Apply a line of ointment to the inner edge of the
lower lid from the nasal corner outwards
 Encourage the patient to close the eyes but not
to squeeze or rub them
 Dab away excess medication with gauze
 Ensure patient comfort
 Remove gloves
 Dispose of gloves and other waste as per
infection control policy

9. Thank you