Applying eye drops: how do you do it correctly and independently?

Applying eye drops: how do you do it correctly and independently?

Applying eye drops sounds simple, but for many people it is not. Tilting the head back, keeping the eye open, aiming the bottle accurately and then squeezing at exactly the right moment. Especially for people with trembling hands, limited vision or stiff joints, this is a challenge every single day. Research shows that fewer than 40 percent of eye drop users administer the drops entirely correctly. In this article you will read how to apply eye drops step by step, why it goes wrong for so many people and how the Oculoo eye drop glasses help you do this independently and without help.

Why does applying eye drops go wrong so often?

Administering eye drops correctly takes more than most people expect. You have to tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and hold the bottle precisely above the eye without touching the eyeball or lashes. Squeeze too hard and too much goes in. Squeeze too softly or at the wrong moment and the drop misses the eye entirely.

International research shows that 36 percent of users have difficulty aiming, 20 percent with squeezing and 12 percent blink unintentionally at the wrong moment. In the Netherlands, research shows that 72 percent of the approximately 1.5 million daily eye drop users regularly have problems with administration. This leads to missed doses, reduced effect of the medication and unnecessary healthcare costs.

Applying eye drops in 6 steps

Follow these steps for correct administration.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them well. Sit upright or lie down with your head tilted back. Gently pull down the lower eyelid with a finger so that a small pocket is formed. Hold the bottle above your eye without touching the eye or the lashes. Look up, squeeze the bottle carefully and let one drop fall into the pocket. Close your eye calmly and then press gently on the inner corner of your eye to prevent the drop from draining away through the tear duct. If you use several types of drops, wait at least five minutes between each administration.

Common mistakes when applying eye drops

The most common mistake is touching the eye or the lashes with the bottle. This contaminates the bottle and bacteria can end up in the drops. Another common mistake is squeezing too hard, causing several drops to enter the eye at once. The eye can only absorb one drop at a time; the rest runs away down the cheek. Blinking unintentionally at the moment of administration is also a frequently mentioned cause of failed administration. Finally, many people forget to press the tear duct closed after applying the drops, as a result of which the medication is partly drained through the nose instead of being absorbed by the eye.

How do the Oculoo eye drop glasses help?

The Oculoo eye drop glasses have been developed specifically for people who have difficulty with the steps above. The glasses automatically fix the eye in the right position and guide the bottle so that the drop always ends up in the right place. You no longer have to aim, squeezing at the right moment becomes easier and you do not need anyone else’s help.

For people who use minims or pipettes, such as after cataract surgery or with specific medication, the Oculoo Minim is the appropriate variant. This variant of the eye drop glasses is specially designed for the smaller single-use bottles and thus also ensures correct and independent administration.

Who are the Oculoo eye drop glasses intended for?

The Oculoo eye drop glasses are intended for everyone who uses eye drops daily and wants or needs to do so independently. These are people with glaucoma, dry eyes or allergies, but also people recovering from cataract surgery or other eye surgery. For this latter group, the Oculoo Minim is also available, specially developed for the minims and pipettes provided after surgery. Older people who live at home and want to remain self-reliant form a large and growing group of users. The eye drop glasses are available through pharmacies and eye clinics throughout the Netherlands.

Practical information

The Oculoo eye drop glasses are available for 21.95 euros. The aid is available through pharmacies and eye clinics and can also be ordered directly. For healthcare professionals and pharmacies wishing to add the Oculoo eye drop glasses to their range or patient guidance, more information is available on the website, or simply request a business account.

Applying eye drops does not have to be difficult. With the right technique and the right aid, you administer eye drops independently and correctly, every single time. The Oculoo eye drop glasses make that possible, at home and without help from others. Are you a pharmacist, ophthalmologist or working in home care? Get in touch for more information about availability and cooperation.