When teaching a patient how to instill ophthalmic drops, it is important to carefully explain all the steps of this procedure. First of all, patients should thoroughly wash their hands with soap. Second, they should check the dropper tip and make sure that it is not cracked. Third, while tilting their head back, they should pull down the lower lid of the eye with the index finger in order to form a pocket. Fourth, they should hold the dropper with the other hand close to the eye but not touching it. Fifth, while looking up, they should squeeze the dropper gently so that one drop falls into the pocket. Sixth, they should close the eye for three minutes and keep their head down.
In doing so, patients should not blink or squeeze the eyelids. Then, patients should wipe the excess liquid from around the eye and do the same operation with the other eye. Washing hands after the operation are also necessary (“How to use eye drops,” 2017).
The operation of instilling an ointment in the eye is similar. After lowering the lower eyelid, patients should hold the tube with an ointment upside down near to the eye and press the tube to release a line of ointment into the pocket. Then, patients should blink several times to spread the ointment. The vision will become blurred, but soon it will become clear again. In doing this operation, patients should not rub their eyes (“How to use eye drops,” 2017).
In the case of small children and infants, it is also important to explain to parents that the vision will change and the stinging sensation will appear. Also, it is important to minimize distractions, as children can make a sudden move which will spoil the operation (“How to give eye drops,” 2017).
Regarding the geriatric patients, it is important to take into account their health condition, as they may have poor vision, shaking hands, and even problems with the opening. In such cases, it is recommended that younger relatives do this operation for them (“How to give eye drops,” 2017).
References
How to give eye drops and eye ointment. (2017). Web.
How to use eye drops properly. (2017). Web.