Do it right

A step-by-step guide on correct application.

Application of eye drops

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before administration.
2. Shake or roll the bottle gently to mix the contents well.
3. Remove the cap from the bottle. Hold the bottle as if you are holding a pen.
4. Tilt your head slightly backwards and look up. Position the bottle above your eye.
5. Using the index finger of your free hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch. Then, squeeze the bottle to instill one drop into the pouch. Ensure that the tip of the bottle does not touch your eye, eyelid or eyelashes to avoid contamination.
6. Release your finger and close your eye gently.You may gently wipe away excess eye drops from your cheeks with a clean piece of tissue paper. Do not dab at your eye directly.
7. Recap the eye drops bottle and store it either in a cool, dry place, or as instructed on the label.
8. You may experience a bitter taste at the back of your throat. This is normal when medicated eye drops are used.

Application of eye ointment

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before administration.
2. Remove the cap from the tube and hold the tube as if you are holding a pen.
3. Tilt your head slightly backwards and look up.
4. Using the index finger of your free hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch and with a sweeping motion, squeeze the tube to apply about 0.5 – 1cm of the ointment inside the lower eyelid. Ensure that the tip of the tube does not touch your eye, eyelid or eyelashes to avoid contamination.
5. Release your finger and blink your eye gently. You may gently wipe away excess ointment from your cheeks with a clean piece of tissue paper. Do not dab at your eye directly.
6. Recap the tube and store it either in a cool place or as instructed on the label.
7. Eye ointments can cause blurred vision for a few minutes, as the medication is quite viscous. You should remain safely and comfortably seated until this has resolved.

Important pointers

1. Write the date of opening on your bottle/tube, and discard it if it is contaminated or upon expiry (whichever occurs first).
2. Many eye products are only for single-use, or have a maximum shelf life of 4 weeks after opening. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Do not store opened bottles/tubes of eye products in your refrigerator in an attempt to increase the shelf life.
4. When applying a series of eye drops and/or ointment products, you should apply in this order:
• Artificial lubricant solutions
• Medicated solutions
• Suspensions or thick solutions
• Gels
• Ointments
5. Please wait 5 minutes between each application of different types of eye drops. You should wait 10 minutes between applying eye suspensions, gels or ointments.
6. Some eye drops, gels or ointments may cause temporary blurring of vision.
7. For contact lens wearers, please remove your contact lens before each application of medication, and wait for 30 minutes before putting the lens back.
8. Contact lens wearers who are advised by the doctor NOT to wear contact lenses should strictly follow the doctor’s advice.

Ref: V10