A Guide To Using Eye Drops

Eye drops work in different ways, and to help you use them most effectively, please speak to your optometrist, ophthalmologist, or pharmacist to ensure that you understand why you are using your eye drops, how to use your eye drops, and when to use your eye drops.

Eye drops are commonly administered or prescribed by clinicians for a number of different reasons. The most common reasons include:

• Dilating the eye’s pupil
• Relaxing the focusing lens
• Lubricating dry eyes
• Relieving eye allergies
• Treating glaucoma
• Healing infections
• Clearing red-eye
• Diminishing eye pain

 

Eye Drops For Eye Exams

 A comprehensive eye exam includes a thorough examination of your vision and ocular health. During your eye exam, your optometrist may insert drops into your lower lid to enlarge your pupils – this is called mydriasis.

Pupil dilation enables a clear view of the inner eye and all of its structures. Mydriasis is necessary for the detection of certain ocular diseases.

 During an eye exam, your focusing lens may work harder than usual to provide clear vision. To obtain an accurate measure of a refractive error, your lens must be relaxed. For this reason, your optometrist may use drops for cycloplegia (relaxing the lens).

 

Eye Drops For Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a common condition that results from insufficient tear quantity or inadequate tear quality.

One cause of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which lowers the oil content of the tears. Other causes of dry eye syndrome include blepharitis, which is an eyelid inflammation, and reactions to medications such as antihistamines.

In most cases, lubricating eye drops will provide sufficient relief of symptoms that occur as a result of exhaustion or living in a dry climate. These drops supplement your natural tears with artificial tears to provide increased moisture and protection.

 

Eye Drops For Allergies

Eye allergies are usually caused by airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, mould, and pet dander.

Symptoms of eye allergies can be quite uncomfortable, but anti-allergy eye drops that contain antihistamines will reduce an allergic reaction and relieve your symptoms.

Both dry eye syndrome and eye allergies can usually be treated with artificial tears and eye drops. Preservative-free drops are recommended because they contain fewer additives which can irritate the eyes.

 

Eye Drops For Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve as a result of increased pressure in the eye. Left untreated, it can cause severe vision loss and even blindness. To help manage the condition, glaucoma eye drops work to preserve your vision.

These drops lower eye pressure by reducing fluid production, increasing fluid drainage, or combining both effects.

 

Using Eye Drops

 Preparation:

• Make a note of the date you open the bottle.
• Wash hands thoroughly.
• Shake the bottle if required.
• Check the expiration date.

 

Application Methods

Standard Method

• Sit in front of a mirror or lie down.
• Pull down the lower eyelid with one hand.
• Squeeze the bottle to release a drop into the pocket between your eye and the lower lid.

 

Wrist Knuckle Method

• Make a fist with one hand and use your knuckles to pull your lower eyelid downwards.
• Place your other hand with the eye drop bottle onto your knuckles.
• Look up and squeeze one drop into your lower eyelid, making sure the nozzle does not touch your eye, eyelashes, or eyelid.
• Close your eye and press gently on the inner corner of your eye for 30-60 seconds to ensure the drop is fully absorbed.

 

Storage:

• Check the leaflet accompanying the drops to make sure you store them at the correct temperature.
• Store eye drops and all medicines out of the reach and sight of children and also out of direct sunlight.
• Dispose of old bottles safely.

 

Our Top Tips For Eye Drops:

• Never share your eye drops with anyone else.
• Store them as instructed, whether that is at room temperature or in the fridge.
• Use your eye drops as evenly spaced out throughout the day as possible.
• Only administer the number of drops advised by your optometrist.
• If you feel that you may have missed your eye when instilling a drop, you can safely try again immediately. An excess volume will run out of your eye and not cause harm to your eye.
• If you are using more than one type of drop in the same eye, remember to leave a 5-minute gap between drops to allow the first drop to be absorbed. Otherwise, the second drop will wash the first drop out.
• If you’re using eye ointment at the same time as your eye drops, always use your eye drops first and leave a 5-minute gap before using the ointment.

 

If you’re worried about your vision or just looking to have a conversation about your eye health, book in with our team of friendly opticians today at Opticare.