How to instil eye drops effectively

Instilling eye drops properly is important for ensuring effective treatment and minimising discomfort. Most drops come with a leaflet containing instructions for use. Please refer to this leaflet before commencing any drop therapy and be sure to follow the directions given. Here are some general tips and tricks on how to instil drops:

Wash your hands

Before handling the eye drops or touching your eyes, make sure your hands are clean to prevent any contamination.

Prepare the eyedrops

Shake the eye drop bottle gently if required, to ensure the solution is well-mixed.

Position yourself

Find a comfortable, stable position. It can be standing in front of a mirror, sitting down or lying on your back.

Tilt your head

Tilt your head backward, looking up at the ceiling. This helps prevent the eye drop from running out of your eye.

Pull down your lower eyelid

With your index finger, gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a pocket between your eyelid and your eye.

Hold the eye drop bottle

Hold the eye drop bottle with the other hand, ensuring that the tip of the bottle doesn’t touch your eye or any surface to prevent contamination.

Administer the drops

With the hand holding the bottle, tilt it slightly and gently squeeze one drop into the pocket formed by pulling down your lower eyelid. Try not to blink while instilling the drop. You should be able to feel the liquid go into your eye. If you don’t, you may have missed your eye and will need to do it again.

Close your eyes

Close your eyes gently for a moment. This allows the drop to spread evenly over the surface of the eye.

Avoid excessive blinking

Try not to blink excessively immediately after administering the drop, as blinking can cause the drop to be washed out of the eye prematurely.

Wipe away excess

If any excess solution escapes onto your face, use a clean tissue to wipe it away gently. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can cause irritation.

Replace the cap

Securely close the cap of the eye drop bottle to prevent contamination and keep the solution clean for future use.

Use by dates

Eye drops have an expiry date which will be on the bottle as well as the outer packaging. Ensure you do not use drops past their use by date or also discard any open drops after the time indicated on the bottle.

Do not share your drops

It is never a good idea to share eye drops with others. Your specific drops may not be suitable for other people, and you risk spreading contaminants from person to person.

If you’re still having problems

There are devices that may help you more easily instil eyedrops. Ask your eyecare provider about these if you are finding you really can’t get your drops in.

Remember to follow any specific instructions provided by your eyecare provider or included with the drop instructions for you. If you have difficulty instilling eye drops or have concerns about using them correctly, don’t hesitate to ask your eyecare provider for guidance.

For more information

Always speak to your GP and eyecare professional about the best treatment options for you.