1. Use eye drops only prescribed by your ophthalmologist.

 

2. Use the eye drops exactly according to the prescription.

 

3. Never touch your eyes with the bottle.

 

4. One drop is enough if it enters the eye.

 

5. Do not instill different drops together but separately every 5 minutes and wait for this time with your head up for better absorption while closing your eye.

 

6. For effectiveness, after instilling an eye drop, keep your head up for 3 minutes, leaving your eyes open or closed gently.

 

7. Do not forcefully close your eyes or dab them after instilling the eye drops.

 

8. Keep your eye drops in a separate place from other medications and liquids (like cement) and away from children.

 

9. Do not touch the tip of the bottle with any object because you may contaminate it.

 

10. Seal the bottle with the cap after each use.

 

11. If the cap has been lost, discharge the bottle.

 

12. The length of use of each bottle is limited according to the manufacturer's instructions. The use of the bottle of most eye drops is limited to a month, after which it should be replaced with a new one if prescribed.

 

13. Discharge used bottles and never refill them.

 

14. If you experience discomfort, redness, or diminished vision after placing the eye drop or ointment, report to your eye doctor to ascertain that no infection or allergic reaction has occurred.

 

15. Certain eye drops contain corticosteroids, which may cause, if used for a long period, cataract and glaucoma. These eye drops should be used cautiously for a limited period and according to your eye doctor's instructions.

 

16. Never use anesthetic eye drops!!! They may result in dependency and blindness.

 

17. Keep your eye drops and ointments in a separate place from other medications and liquids (like cement) and away from children.

 

18. Always be sure which medication you are taking. Never take a medication in the dark.

 

© Shimon Rumelt, MD. 2005. All Rights Reserved

 

The author is not responsible for the application of any of the suggestions appearing or not appearing on this page, and these cannot be a basis for any claim whatsoever.