At a Glance
- Wash hands, tilt your head back and form a pocket with the lower lid.
- Never let the dropper tip touch your eye, fingers or any surface.
- Close your eyes and press the inner corner for 1–2 minutes after each drop.
- Wait at least 5 minutes between two different eye medicines.
Eye drops are one of the most effective ways to treat eye infections, allergies, inflammation and dryness – but only if the drop actually stays in the eye. Many people blink it straight out, use too many drops, or contaminate the bottle without realising.
Before you begin
- Check the label: correct medicine, correct eye, and not past its expiry date.
- Note the date you open the bottle – most drops should be discarded within a few weeks of opening (check the pack).
- Remove contact lenses unless your doctor says otherwise.
- If the bottle says “shake well”, do so.
The 7-step technique
- 01Wash your hands
Use soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.
- 02Tilt your head back
Sit or lie down and look up towards the ceiling.
- 03Make a pocket
Gently pull down your lower eyelid with one finger to form a small pocket.
- 04Instil one drop
Hold the bottle above the eye and squeeze one drop into the pocket. Don’t let the tip touch the eye or lashes.
- 05Close – don’t blink hard
Close your eye gently for 1–2 minutes. Squeezing or blinking pushes the medicine out.
- 06Press the inner corner
Press lightly where the eyelid meets the nose. This keeps the medicine in the eye and reduces the bitter taste in the throat.
- 07Wipe and recap
Dab away any excess with a clean tissue and close the bottle tightly.
Wait at least 5 minutes between different drops so the first is not washed out. If you also use an eye ointment, use it last.
Common mistakes to avoid
This contaminates the whole bottle with germs from your skin or eye.
The eye holds only about one drop – the rest spills down your cheek.
Infections spread easily between family members this way.
Opened drops lose sterility over time – follow the discard date on the pack.
Tips for children and elders
For a child who won’t keep their eyes open, lay them down, ask them to close their eyes, and place the drop in the inner corner of the eye. When they open their eyes, the drop flows in. Elderly people with shaky hands can rest their hand on their forehead for support.
your eye becomes more painful, red or swollen after using drops, your vision changes, or symptoms don’t improve within the time your doctor advised.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drops should I put in?
Only what your doctor prescribed – usually one drop is enough, as the eye cannot hold more. If you are unsure whether it went in, put in one more.
Why do I taste the medicine?
Eye drops can drain through the tear duct into the nose and throat. Pressing the inner corner of the eye after the drop reduces this.
Can I use eye drops with contact lenses?
Most medicated drops require you to remove lenses and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. Check the product leaflet.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist about your health and before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
