Eye Problems: Using Eyedrops And Eye Ointment: How To Use Eyedrops Or Eye Ointment

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How to use eyedrops or eye ointment

Eyedrops

To use eyedrops, follow these tips:

• For older children and adults: While tilting your head back, pull the lower eyelid down with one or two fingers to create a small pouch. Gently squeeze the dropper to put the eyedrops in the pouch. Close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops absorb.
• For younger children: Have the child lie down with the eyes closed. Place an eyedrop in the inner corner of the closed eye. When the eye opens, the drop will run in.

See a picture of how to use eyedrops .

Eye ointment

The method for inserting eye ointment is slightly different than for inserting eyedrops. When using eye ointments, follow these tips:

• For older children and adults: Pull the lower eyelid down with one or two fingers to create a pouch. Put a thin line of ointment in the pouch. Close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the ointment absorb.
• For younger children, have the child lie down with eyes closed. Pull the lower eyelid out to create a pouch. Put a thin line of ointment in the pouch. With the child's eyes closed, ask the child to move his or her eyeball from side to side to move the ointment around the eye.
• Eye ointment can cause some temporary blurring of vision.

See a picture of how to use eye ointment .

Using a mirror may make it easier to see what you are doing.

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Last updated:	December 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer