How To Use Eye Drops Correctly: A Comprehensive Guide

When you're struggling with dry eye symptoms, getting a diagnosis can be a relief—but that's just one piece of the puzzle. You'll likely need to use eye drops on the reg, the gold standard for dry eye treatment. Depending on your personal treatment plan, you might need over-the-counter eye drops, prescription medicated drops, or both.

New to eye drops or need a refresher? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply eye drops the right way, complete with tips from eye care professionals:

From there, here's how to prepare before using eye drops.

First things first: Wash your hands. This will prevent bacteria or viruses from contaminating the bottle or your eye, says William McLaughlin, O.D., optometrist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. To ensure your hands are clean, "wash [them] with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds," says McLaughlin.

Also, after applying the drops, wait 10 minutes before reinserting your contact lenses, says Wong.

"Some eye drops are made as suspensions and can separate like oils and water," notes Wong. With that in mind, you might need to shake the solution before using it. Be sure to check the instructions on your medication to see if this is necessary.

When removing the cap from the bottle, avoid touching the actual dropper. Even after you've washed your hands, touching the dropper can contaminate the bottle, so there's no harm in being extra careful.

Now, it's time to apply your medication! If you're new to using eye drops, let your doctor know. They can guide you through the process and provide tips for making the experience more comfortable.

Sit or stand in a comfortable position, then tilt your head back. You can also lie down if it's easier. In either case, it's important to tilt your head back, as this ensures the drops stay in your eye, says McLaughlin. It will also help keep the drops from running down your face, which can reduce the risk of eye irritation, he adds.

Using one finger, gently pull down your lower eyelid, away from your eye. This will create a small pocket to "catch" the drops.

It can be tempting to blink, but as you can imagine, this will make it hard for the drops to enter your eye. If you're having a hard time keeping your eyes open, take a tip from the AAO and try focusing on a spot in the ceiling.

To help the drops land in your eye, place the dropper tip just above your eye. However, it's important to avoid letting the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, or eyelashes. As Wong notes, if the tip of the bottle is too close to your eye, it can increase the risk of contamination.

Gently squeeze the bottle to release a drop into the pocket of your lower eyelid. Avoid squeezing the bottle too hard, which will expel more drops than needed, says McLaughlin.

After you've applied the eye drops, wrap it up with the following steps.

Once the drops are in your eyes, close them for one to two minutes. This will keep the drops on the surface of your eyes, giving them a chance to do their job. Avoid repeatedly blinking or squeezing your eyes shut, as this can push out the drops.

With a clean finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye near your nose. "This is called manual punctal occlusion," explains Wong. It prevents the medication from being absorbed into the nose, throat, and the rest of the body, ensuring it stays on the eye surface for longer. This is particularly important "for those with systematic sensitivity or during pregnancy," says Wong.

Blurry vision is a common side effect of dry eye treatment, but it's temporary and normal. You can reduce this blurriness by wiping away excess liquid with a clean tissue. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

If you need to apply multiple types of drops, wait at least five minutes before applying the next one. This ensures "one eyedrop does not dilute the effectiveness of the other eye drop," says Wong.

Top it off with another handwashing, as suggested by the AAO. After all, you just touched your face and eyelid! This will further prevent the spread of germs.

To get the most out of your dry eye treatment, take the time to learn proper eye drop application. Start with these steps and tips, which will ensure you're using the drops correctly. It's the best way to minimize side effects, maintain eye health, and find sweet relief from dry eye symptoms. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, chat with your eye care provider.