How to Use Eye Drops and Eye Ointments

Your health care provider may prescribe or recommend eye drops or ointments for a variety of reasons, such as to help relieve symptoms like redness, dryness, and itchiness.

You may also need to use eye drops or ointments to treat an eye infection or before or after surgery on your eye. You should use eye drops and ointments only as told by your health care provider.

You may need to have a caregiver or family member help you place eye drops or ointment in your eye.

How to use eye drops

Follow these steps when putting eye drops in your eye:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Follow any instructions for mixing or shaking eye drops prior to using them.
3. Stand in front of a mirror so that you can see your eye well.
4. Place one finger under your eye and use it to gently pull your lower lid downward. This forms a small pocket to place the drop. Keep that finger in place.
5. Using your other hand, hold the dropper between your thumb and index finger.
6. Position the dropper just above the edge of your lower eyelid. Do not touch the dropper to your lid or your eyeball.
7. Steady your hand. One way to do this is to lean your index finger against your brow.
8. Look up slightly.
9. Slowly and gently squeeze one drop of medicine into your eye near the lower lid.
10. Gently close your eye.
11. Place a finger between your lower eyelid and your nose. Press gently for 2 minutes. This increases the amount of time that the medicine is exposed to the eye and can help prevent certain side effects.
12. Do not rub your eye.

How to apply eye ointments

Follow these steps when applying eye ointments:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Stand in front of a mirror so that you can see your eye well.
3. Place one finger under your eye and use it to gently pull your lower lid downward. Keep that finger in place.
4. Using your other hand, hold the tip of the tube between your thumb and index finger. Brace your other fingers against your cheek or nose.
5. Hold the tube just above the edge of your lower eyelid. Do not touch the tube to your lid or your eyeball.
6. Line the inner part of your lower lid with ointment.
7. Let go of your lower lid.
8. Gently pull up on your upper lid and look down. This will spread the ointment over the surface of your eye.
9. Let go of the upper lid.
10. Gently close your eyes. If you can, leave them closed for 1–2 minutes.
11. Do not rub your eyes. If you applied the ointment correctly, your vision will be blurry for a few minutes. This is normal.

General tips

• Make sure you use the eye drops or ointment only as told by your health care provider.
• Ask for help from a caregiver or family member if you are unable to apply the eye drops or ointment.
• If you have been told to use both eye drops and an eye ointment, apply the eye drops first, then wait 3–4 minutes before you apply the ointment.
• Try not to touch the tip of the dropper or tube to your eye. A dropper or tube that has touched the eye can get germs on it (get contaminated).

Summary

• Your health care provider may prescribe or recommend eye drops or ointments to relieve symptoms like redness, dryness, and itchiness.
• Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before applying eye drops or ointment.
• You may need to have a caregiver or family member help you place eye drops or ointment in your eye.
• Make sure you use the eye drops or ointment only as told by your health care provider.