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Properly
Using
Medications Put in the Eye
Eye
drops
If
eye drops have been prescribed use them correctly so you get the maximum
benefits from the medicine, decrease the chances of systemic side effects, and
do not waste the medicine by getting it on your face.
To
properly apply your eye drops, follow these steps:
 | First,
wash your hands.
|
| Lie
on your back in bed, or if possible tilt your head way back.
|
| Hold
the bottle in one hand and place it close to the eye.
|
| With
the other hand, pull down your lower eyelid. This forms a pocket.
|
| Place
a drop into the lower eyelid pocket. It is not necessary to get the drop on
the eye itself and unless otherwise instructed only one drop is needed. Try
not to touch the tip of the bottle to the eye or your hands or face.
|
| If
you are using more than one type of eye drop, wait at least five
minutes before using the second medication. You do not want the second drop
to wash out the first one. After you are finished, close your
eyes for several minutes. This keeps the final drop in the eye and helps prevent
it from draining into the tear duct. Drainage through the tear duct system increases your risk of
systemic side effects from the eye medication and decreases the drops beneficial effects on the eye.
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| Discard
unused medications as they can outdate or become contaminated. Generally,
store eye drops at room temperature unless the pharmacist recommends that
they be refrigerated. |
Eye
ointments
Eye
ointments are prescribed less frequently than eye drops, as they tend to cause
blurring of vision for a significant amount of time. They do have the advantage
of staying in the space between the eye and lids for a longer time than drops
will, and so expose the eye to the medication for a longer period of time.
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