Unit 1: Eye-Drop Instillation

Question 1

Proper Technique of Eye-drop Instillation

Answer 1

• Wash hand thoroughly; Don nonsterile gloves
• Verify correct medication, time, and number of drops
• instruct to tilt head back, with eyes open, and looking upward
• Retract lower lid downward
• Invert medication bottle
• Gently rest wrist on patients cheek
• Gently squeeze bottle and instill prescribed number of eye drops into conjunctival sac, not to contaminate the dropper/bottle by touching the eye sac or other foreign object
• (instruct to gently close eyes)
• (additional eye drops may be administered after 3 to 5 minutes to allow for absorption)
• Application with gentle pressure with a clean tissue on the patients nasolacrimal duct for 30 to 60 seconds decreases systemic absorption