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 Whether it's due to allergy, infection or otherwise, at some point you will more than likely need to use eyedrops. There are many different types of eyedrops on the market, and it is often difficult to determine which drops are best for your particular need. As always, we recommend asking your eye doctor which brands he/she recommends but there are also some standard facts you should know when choosing an over the counter eye drop.
Some drops are by prescription only, however when you are choosing an over the counter eye drop remedy there are a few things to keep in mind. Most eyedrops have some sort of preservative that some people can be sensitive to. Eye drops without preservatives are readily available and popular brands are sometimes offered as non-preservative options.
Non-preservative drops are normally packaged in individual vials intended for one time use. Decongestant eye drops which remove redness such as Visine or Naphcom should only be used for a short period of time. Overuse can lead to conjunctivitis medicamentosa, which results in severe redness, congestion and dependence on the drops. Also, these drops should not be used by people with glaucoma or heart disease. It is always best to consult with a doctor before starting on an eye drop regimen.
 | 1. | Gently pull your lower eyelid of the affected eye downward. |
| 2. | Tilt your head backward or if more convenient, lie down and look up at the ceiling. Hold the dropper above the affected eye and drop the medicine inside the lower lid while looking up. Do not touch the dropper to your eye, fingers or any surface. | | 3. |
Release your lower lid. Try to keep affected eye open and do not blink for at least 30 seconds. At the same time apply gentle pressure with fingers to the bridge of the nose inside corner of the eye for about one minute to prevent drainage of solution from the eye. |
| • | Please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before starting and after using the eye drops. | | • | Contact Lens Wearers: You should remove your contacts before instilling the eye drops. | | • | If you are using more than one kind of eye drop at the same time. Wait at least 5 minutes before using the other eye drop(s). | | • | After instillation of drops, do not close eyes tightly and try not to blink more than usual, as this removes the medicine from the eye. If the dropper is separate, hold it with tip down. | | • | Replace on bottle and tighten cap. | | • | Never rinse dropper, you may contaminate the drops. | | • | Never use eye drops that have changed color or appear to have crystals in the solution. |
CAUTION!
Some eye drops may blur your vision for a few minutes. You should not drive or operate dangerous machinery until your vision has cleared. You should call us if your condition becomes worse or if you experience any itching or burning for more than a few minutes after use. Some eye drops sting for a short period of time after use.
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