Eye drops and older people: staying independent with the right aids
Administering eye drops is often harder for older people than it seems. According to research by Oculoo, an estimated 1.9 million people in the Netherlands use eye drops every day. Many older people struggle with aiming, squeezing or holding the bottle steady. In this blog you can read why applying eye drops becomes more difficult with age and how an aid such as the Oculoo eye drop glasses can help you keep applying drops independently.
According to research by Oculoo, an estimated 1.7 million people in the Netherlands use eye drops every day. A large part of this group is over 55. That is easy to explain: eye conditions such as glaucoma, dry eyes and cataracts become more common as we get older.
At the same time, applying eye drops becomes more difficult later in life. Trembling hands, reduced vision, stiffer joints and less hand strength make it hard to hold the bottle correctly above the eye and administer exactly one drop.
For many older people this means becoming dependent on a partner, informal carer or district nurse. That is not always necessary. With the right aid, many older people can keep applying their eye drops independently.
In this article you can read why applying eye drops is often difficult for older people, which problems are most common and how the Oculoo eye drop glasses help you keep applying drops independently.
Why is applying eye drops often difficult for older people?
Applying eye drops seems simple, but in practice it is a precise action. You have to tilt your head back, keep the eye open, position the bottle above the eye and squeeze at exactly the right moment.
In older people, several factors often play a role at the same time. Hand strength decreases, fine motor skills become less accurate and vision often deteriorates. Stiff fingers, rheumatism, neck complaints or trembling hands can also make applying drops more difficult.
This makes it hard to aim the eye drop bottle properly. The drop falls beside the eye, several drops come out at once, or the bottle accidentally touches the eye, the eyelid or the eyelashes.
For people who have to apply drops daily, for example for glaucoma, dry eyes or after cataract surgery, this can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty.
Which problems do older people experience when administering eye drops?
The most common problems older people experience when administering eye drops are:
- difficulty aiming;
- blinking at the moment of application;
- not being able to see the bottle properly;
- too little strength to squeeze the bottle;
- not being able to tilt the head back properly;
- touching the eye or eyelashes with the bottle;
- uncertainty about whether the drop actually reached the eye.
The combination of aiming and squeezing in particular makes applying eye drops difficult. Many people manage to hold the bottle above their face, but find it hard to position it exactly above the eye. As soon as the drop falls, the eye often blinks automatically. As a result, the drop does not land properly.
This can affect the correct use of the medication. If the drop does not reach the eye, the treatment may work less well. And if someone applies extra drops out of doubt, the bottle can empty faster or too much medication may be used.
Applying eye drops independently is important for older people
Applying eye drops independently is important for many older people. It is not only about convenience, but also about independence, privacy and confidence.
Anyone who has to apply drops several times a day does not want to depend on someone else every time. Yet in practice this often happens. Informal carers, partners or district nurses are then asked to help with an action that recurs every day.
That puts pressure on the user and on the people around them. A good aid for applying eye drops can help reduce that dependence.
An aid for applying eye drops: what should you look out for?
An aid for applying eye drops should do more than simply hold the bottle. A good aid supports the entire action: from positioning the bottle to administering the drop in a controlled way.
Important points are:
- the bottle must be placed correctly above the eye;
- the eye must stay open more easily;
- the user should need to aim less precisely;
- the bottle must not touch the eye or the eyelashes;
- the aid must be easy to use;
- it must be suitable for daily use.
For older people, ease of use is extra important. An aid must work logically, calmly and without complicated steps.
How do the Oculoo eye drop glasses help with applying eye drops?
The Oculoo eye drop glasses were developed for people who have difficulty applying eye drops independently. The glasses help with aiming, positioning and administering eye drops.
The Oculoo eye drop glasses support the user throughout the entire action. The bottle is placed in the right spot above the eye, so the user needs to aim less. The glasses help position the eye correctly and make applying drops more manageable.
This makes applying eye drops easier for older people who struggle with trembling hands, reduced vision, limited strength or uncertainty while applying drops.
Who are the Oculoo eye drop glasses suitable for?
The Oculoo eye drop glasses are suitable for people who have difficulty applying eye drops, for example due to:
- old age;
- trembling hands;
- less hand strength;
- reduced vision;
- rheumatism or stiff fingers;
- difficulty aiming;
- fear of touching the eye;
- daily use of eye drops;
- recovery after eye treatment or surgery.
The glasses are designed for standard eye drop bottles. For people who use minims or single-use pipettes, for example after cataract surgery, there is the Oculoo Minim.
Applying eye drops after cataract surgery
After cataract surgery, many people have to use eye drops temporarily. This is often several times a day. Correct application is especially important during this period.
Many people are given minims or pipettes after surgery. These are small and can be difficult to hold properly above the eye. The Oculoo Minim was developed for this situation. This version helps administer eye drops from minims and pipettes.
In this way Oculoo supports not only people who use eye drops long term, but also people who need to apply drops temporarily after a treatment.
Less dependent on informal care and district nursing
Applying eye drops is often seen as a small action, but in care practice it takes a lot of time. If someone cannot apply drops independently, help has to be arranged every day. This may involve a partner, family member, informal carer or district nurse.
An aid for applying eye drops independently can reduce this dependence. That is valuable for the user, but also for the care sector. Informal carers are relieved and professional care providers can spend their time on more complex care needs.
Applying eye drops independently therefore fits well within the broader shift towards greater self-reliance in healthcare.
Practical tips for applying eye drops in older people
In addition to using an aid, there are a number of practical tips that can help:
- Always wash your hands first.
- Check that you are using the right bottle.
- Sit down calmly.
- Tilt your head back slightly.
- Make sure the bottle does not touch the eye or the eyelashes.
- Apply drops according to the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.
- Not sure whether it is going well? Ask your pharmacy, GP or ophthalmologist for advice.
Always use eye drops according to the instructions of your care provider. Do not simply stop applying drops and do not adjust the dosage yourself.
Applying eye drops as an older person does not have to make you dependent
Getting older does not have to mean becoming dependent on others for your eye drops. With the right aid, many older people can keep applying drops safely, calmly and independently.
The Oculoo eye drop glasses were developed to make applying eye drops easier for everyone who struggles with it every day. From placing the bottle to administering the drop: Oculoo supports the entire action.
Would you like to know which Oculoo suits your situation? Ask your pharmacy, GP or ophthalmologist, or view the options at Oculoo.com.
Frequently asked questions about eye drops and older people
Why do older people more often have difficulty applying eye drops?
Older people more often have difficulty applying eye drops due to less hand strength, reduced vision, stiffer joints and trembling hands. This makes it harder to hold the bottle correctly above the eye and apply drops precisely.
Which aid helps with applying eye drops?
An eye drop aid such as the Oculoo eye drop glasses helps position the bottle and supports the action. This makes applying eye drops independently easier.
Can I apply eye drops independently with trembling hands?
In many cases an aid can help. The Oculoo eye drop glasses support the aiming and positioning of the bottle, which can make applying drops with trembling hands easier.
Are the Oculoo eye drop glasses suitable for older people?
Yes, the Oculoo eye drop glasses were developed specifically for people who have difficulty applying eye drops. This is common among older people, but also among people with less strength, reduced vision or trembling hands.
What is the difference between the Oculoo eye drop glasses and the Oculoo Minim?
The Oculoo eye drop glasses are intended for standard eye drop bottles. The Oculoo Minim is intended for minims and single-use pipettes, which are often used after eye surgery, for example.
Where can I buy the Oculoo eye drop glasses?
The Oculoo eye drop glasses are available through selected pharmacies, eye clinics and directly via Oculoo.com.
Source:
Make applying eye drops easier
Applying eye drops does not have to be a daily struggle. With the Oculoo eye drop glasses you get more support in placing the bottle and administering the drop.
