Some people find it difficult to put eye drops in their eyes. This is a challenge, especially for those who have chronic eye problems that require daily use of eye drops (e.g. glaucoma). Being unable to put eye drops in your own eyes can jeopardize your treatment especially if there is no one around to help you.
Learning this important self-management skill is essential for your eye health, particularly if you are managing a chronic condition like glaucoma.
Here are the steps to effectively put eye drops in your own eyes:
- Wash and dry your hands properly.
- Shake the eye drop container to ensure the content is evenly mixed.
- Remove the cap of the eye drop taking care to avoid touching the dropper tip.
- Tilt your head backwards.
- Pull your lower eyelid down with one hand to create a pocket.
- Hold the eye drop in the other hand and raise it directly above the pocket in the lower eyelid.
- Gently squeeze a drop of the eye drop into the pocket in your lower eyelid.
- Close your eye and use your finger to press the inner corner of your eye for one or two minutes.
- Put the eye drop in the other eye (if required).
- Cover the eye drop and store it in a cool dry place.
