(Using a mirror or having someone else give you the eyedrops may make this procedure easier.)
| 1Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. |
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| 2 Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked. |
| 3 Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else - eyedrops and droppers must be kept clean. |
4 While tilting your head back, pull down the lower
lid of your eye with your index finger to
form a pocket. |
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5 Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without
touching it. |
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| 6 Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face. |
| 7 While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid. |
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| 8 Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids. |
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| 9 Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure. |
| 10 Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue. |
11 If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes
before instilling the next drop. |
12 Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the
dropper tip. |
| 13 Wash your hands to remove any medication. |
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Remember
- Follow directions carefully
- Do not miss doses
- Use the exact number of drops recommended
- Store medications out of reach of children
The 'How to Administer' illustrations shown on SafeMedication.com were developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) using referenced publications and existing patient information. The illustrations are the sole intellectual property of ASHP. Copyright ASHP. Illustrator: Kirk Moldoff Studios, Princeton, N.J.