EYE DROPS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW?

About Eye Drops

Eye drops are used in treating glaucoma which works by reducing the intraocular pressure (eye pressure) within the eyes. Increased intraocular pressure is a major risk which may lead to optical nerve damage. There are several classes of drops which would have a different mechanism of action. Prostaglandins increase drainage outflow from the eye which intern reduce intraocular pressure. There are some drop classes which reduce the formation of fluid within the eye – like beta blockers, alpha agonists and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Eye drops are commonly used in the treatment of glaucoma. As glaucoma has no symptoms, people might get tempted to stop the eye drops or might forget to take their medication (eye drops). Majority of the patients don’t take their glaucoma medication as per doctor’s prescription which would intern increase the amount of visual loss caused by glaucoma. It is important to follow the treatment as per prescribed and appointments which are provided by the doctor. As glaucoma is lifelong, often in progressive condition and with help of appropriate treatment it is possible to avoid vision loss.

How Will I Remember My Medication?

Consistency- it is important to use the eye drops at the same time every day.

Set yourself a reminder– Set an alarm which acts as a reminder for you to take the eye drops on time.

Make sure you don’t run out of your medicine– Once you come to know that how long your medicine would last make sure that you refill the medicine one week before it gets emptied.

For those who have glaucoma, medication is the only way to stop or slow vision loss.

How to Instil Eye Drops?

It is important to instil eye drops as guided by the doctor with a considerable amount of eye drop may drain via tear duct to the nose and throat, eventually being absorbed by the bloodstream. Depending upon the amount of medicine used, this may result in side effects like shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations or even asthma attack.

12 steps to Correctly Instill Eye Drops:

    1. Wash your hand thoroughly.
    1. You may feel more comfortable instilling your eye drops sitting or lying down.
    1. Carefully remove the cap from the eye drop container ensuring that the tip of the container don’t touch anything.
    1. It is good that you tilt your head back and look up.
    1. Gently pull the lower eye lid away from the eye so that a pocket or pouch get formed.
    1. Place the tip of the container directly over the eye region and hold the container as vertical as possible.
    1. Squeeze the container gently and try to allow only one drop to fall into the lower eyelid. If you are not sure whether the drops fell in your eyes, you may instil another.
    1. Keep your head titled back, look back, release the eyelid and close your eye without blinking or squeezing the eyelid or rolling the eye.
    1. Gently press your finger on the drainage canal openings (tear ducts) with the eyes closed for two minutes. It is advised to lift your head back to a normal relaxed position while continuing to put pressure over the drainage canal opening for at least two minutes. If you taste the eye that means that you are not blocking your drainage canal opening properly.
    1. Gently wipe the excess medicine that may have spilt onto your face with a clean disposable tissue.
    1. Repeat step 4 to 10 if you want to instil eye drop to the other eye.
    1. If you have different eye drops to use, leave at least 5 minutes between each different drop.

Safety Measures

  • Before instilling drops it is necessary to check the label on your eye drop container.
  • Never overuse medicine.
  • It is advised not to adjust the frequency/ number of eye drops prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
  • After the container has been opened, do not let the tip touch your eyes, fingers or any other surface in order to overcome contamination.
  • It is mandatory to discard the eye drop container and its contents after the recommended use-by-date
  • It is necessary to remove the contact lenses before you instil your drops. You can wear your contact lenses 15 minutes after the drop instillation
  • There are some eye drops that may sting or irritate the eye for some time. If the symptoms persist it is necessary to consult your ophthalmologist.
  • Stockpiling of unopened eye drops must be avoided.
  • Remember to keep your ophthalmologist informed about other medication that you are undergoing including those you use without prescription as they might interfere with your glaucoma treatment.
  • Usage of petroleum jelly may prevent irritation around the eyes if applied to the skin of the eyelids before instilling drops
  • Consider asking someone to help you instil your eye drops if problem instilling eye drops.
  • Always keep your eye drops away from sunlight and try to keep it in cool and constant temperature.