- Before you use eye drops, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Dry them with a clean towel.
- To put them in your own eyes, lie down or use a mirror. It may help to ask someone to check that the drops get in your eye.
- Look up to the ceiling with both eyes.
- Tilt your head back and pull your lower lid down with one hand. Hold the bottle or tube in your other hand. If you need to, rest part of your hand on your forehead to keep it steady.
- Place one drop or a little ointment inside your lower lid. Don’t let the tip of the bottle or tube touch your eye.
- Blink and dab away any extra fluid with a tissue.
- If you have both drops and ointment, use the drops first. If you don't, the ointment may keep the eye drops from being absorbed.
- If you have more than one type of drop, wait about 5 minutes after the first medicine before you use the second.
- Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes. That lets the medicine get inside your eye. You can also try gently placing your index finger in the corner of your eye by your nose, which will help the drops not drain away as quickly and stay on your eye longer.
- Wash your hands as soon as you’re done to remove any medication still there.
If you have any questions, talk to your eye doctor.