Ophthalmic route (to the eye)
Eye drops and ointments are types of ophthalmic medications.
People need to be informed that with the application of eye drops and/or ointments, the vision can become temporarily altered.
Your family member must lye down or sit, head slightly leaning backwards.
Clean any eye secretions. For cleaning use a gauze moistened with saline solution or warm water, in a single and gentle movement, from the inner corner (near the nose) to the outer. Wash your hands before cleaning each eye and start cleaning by the cleanest eye.
With a gauze, gently pull the lower eyelid to expose the inside of the eyelid.
Ask your family member to look up, and apply the prescribed number of drops into the inside of the eyelid.
The ointment should be applied in the inner area of the lower eyelid, from the inner to the outer corner.
Ask your family member to close and gently rotate the eyes to better spread the ointment.
Remove excessive medication with a gauze.
Advise your family member not to walk until he/she has fully recovered eyesight and thus avoid the risk of fall.
Check for the expiration date of eye drops and ointments after first use.