Trouble squeezing an eye drop bottle

Trouble squeezing an eye drop bottle? You’re not the only one

Holding the bottle above your eye still works, but then no drop comes out.

You squeeze harder.

A little harder still.

And when the drop finally comes, the bottle may shoot away or several drops come out at once.

Trouble pressing an eye drop bottle is a familiar problem. Research into eye medication cites both aiming the bottle and applying enough squeezing force as major obstacles to using eye drops independently.

Why are some eye drop bottles hard to press?

Not every eye drop bottle works the same way.

The shape, the material and the dosing system differ per manufacturer and medicine. As a result, the force needed to get a single drop out of the bottle can vary considerably.

Research into various bottles of glaucoma medication found substantial differences in the amount of force needed to get a drop out of the bottle. The researchers concluded that some patients probably struggle with the squeezing force certain bottles require.

So it isn’t always solely down to your hands.

The design of the bottle plays a part too.

Less strength in fingers or hands

Using eye drops becomes harder when strength or mobility in your fingers and hands declines.

That can play a role with, for example:

• reduced hand strength;
• stiff fingers;
• joint complaints;
• limited fine motor skills;
• trembling hands.

Earlier research into eye drop use mentions conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as factors that can make using eye drop bottles more difficult.

The problem is bigger than just squeezing hard

While dropping, you don’t only have to apply enough force.

At the same time, the bottle has to stay in the same spot above the eye.

That creates a tricky mechanical problem: as soon as you apply force with your fingers, your hand often automatically moves along a little.

As a result, the bottle can:

• move to the left or right;
• come closer to the eye;
• move away from the eye;
• or tilt.

Right at the moment the drop leaves the bottle.

Why one drop is enough

With eye drops, more is not automatically better.

UZ Leuven advises administering one drop at a time. Dutch patient information also stresses that one prescribed drop is enough when it is administered as directed.

That’s why controlled squeezing matters.

When you have to apply a lot of force and suddenly get several drops out of the bottle, accurate dropping becomes even harder.

What can you do if squeezing is difficult?

First check whether you are using the bottle as indicated in the package leaflet.

Different dosing systems may require a different technique.

Still finding it hard to press? Then discuss it with your pharmacy. There are various aids that provide support with using eye drops.

That’s why Dutch information about eye drop aids specifically distinguishes between aids for problems with aiming and aids for problems with squeezing force.

Stability while squeezing

With Oculoo, the emphasis isn’t only on applying force.

The eye drop glasses help keep the bottle in a fixed position relative to the eye during the process.

This means you don’t have to balance the bottle entirely freely above your eye while trying to squeeze at the same time.

That can be especially welcome when it’s precisely the combination of aiming, holding still and pressing that’s difficult.

Using eye drops shouldn’t be a test of strength

When you have to use medication daily, a small practical limitation quickly becomes a recurring problem.

Using eye drops independently therefore takes more than just knowing when to use your medication. The aid and the bottle also have to be practical to handle.

Do you consistently struggle with a specific eye drop bottle? Discuss it with your doctor or pharmacy. Never stop or change prescribed medication on your own initiative.