Proper eye drop administration technique involves 7 steps: 1) wash hands and shake bottle; 2) remove cap and place on tissue; 3) tilt head back, pull lower eyelid to form pouch; 4) hold dropper above eye and squeeze one drop in; 5) close eye for 1-2 minutes; 6) press tear duct to prevent drainage; 7) wipe away excess and recap bottle. When using multiple drops, allow 5 minutes between each one. Follow instructions and storage guidelines carefully.

1. PROPER EYE DROP
ADMINISTRATION TECHNIQUE
Patient counseling

2. Eye drops
• Step 1
Wash and dry your hands; shake the bottle if it
contains a suspension
• Step 2
Take off the cap of the bottle. Place the dropper
cap on a clean tissue paper.

3. • Step 3.
Stand in front of the mirror for self administration. and tilt your
head backwards. Gently pull the lower eyelid to form a pouch.
Two methods to pull the lower eye lids for instillation of
drops are
Pull lower eye lid downward, with the index finger or
Pinch of the lower lid outward with thumb and index finger.

4. Step 4.
Hold the dropper above the selected eye for
instillation of the drug. Squeeze one drop into
the pocket formed by gently pulling down the
lower eyelid.
Try not to touch your eye, eyelashes, or anything
else with the dropper tip in order to keep it clean.

5. Step 5.
Let go off the eyelid and keep the eye closed for 1-2 minutes after
application of the eye drop, with your head tilted down towards the
floor.
Step 6.
Immediately after instillation of drops, press gently on the tear
duct (inner corner of the eye) with your index finger for a
minute. This will prevent the drainage of eye drops into the
nostril and mouth.

6. Step 7.
Wipe away any liquid that falls on to your cheek
with a tissue paper. And recap the bottle. Again
wash your hands to remove any medication.
Repeat the above steps in the other eye if the
drop is prescribed for both eyes.

7. When eye drops of two different drugs are
prescribed don't administer them together,
instead give a gap of at least 5 minutes
between the administration of each eye drop.
This will prevent the first drug from being
diluted or washed away by second drug.
When an eye drop and eye ointment are
prescribed always instill the eye drop first and
then eye ointment.

8. Don’ts
Don't use the eye drops if they change
color or turn cloudy.
Don’t use the drops if they have small
bits floating in them.
Don't rub/ squeeze/ blink your eyes
after instillation of eye drops.
Don’t share eye drops with anybody.
Don't drive until your vision has cleared
after instillation.

9. TIPS TO REMEMBER
Read the instructions carefully before you use eye
drops.
Check the expiration date. Discard the eye drops if
outdated.
Use multiple use eye drops for not more than 4
weeks from the date of first opening even if the dates
are valid.
Single use eye drops don’t contain any preservatives
and they should be discarded after first use.
Write down the first date of opening on the bottle to
remember when to stop its use.

10. Eye drops are sterile products. Don’t try to open
it using safety pins. Use only pointed tip inside
the cap to pierce the bottle.
Instill the eye drops only in the affected eye
unless instructed to apply on both eyes.
Each eye can hold only one drop. Hence
instillation of additional drops will flow out of
the eye.
Do not adjust the frequency and/or the number
of eye drops you have been prescribed without
consulting your eye care practitioner or
clinical pharmacist.

11. Some eye drops sting or irritate the eye for a
short time. If symptoms persist, speak to your
eye care practitioner or clinical pharmacist.
If you forget to administer the eye drops instill
them as soon as you remember.
Keep the eye drops out of the reach of
children.
Store the eye drops at room temperature, away
from heat, moisture and direct light.