Getting the Most from Your Prescription Eyedrops

Taking a once-a-day pill to control your blood pressure or cholesterol level is a very efficient way to manage a health problem. Once the pill is swallowed your metabolism takes over - it's a closed system. That's not the same with eyedrops.

There are a variety of once-a-day drops to help control intraocular pressure for folks with glaucoma, but the eye relies on that one drop of medication to work continuously for 24 hours. Unlike swallowing a pill, instilling an eyedrop is a more risky proposition. The eye medication can disappear.

It only takes three blinks for all of the medicine to be washed away by the tears, long before the clear cornea can adequately absorb the drug. Three blinks.

If you are taking prescription eyedrops there are some simple steps you can take to maximize drug availability and minimize drug washout.

First, once the eyedrop is instilled close your eyes. If you do not blink the medication can linger. At the same time gently apply fingertip pressure for 2-3 minutes to the skin between the inner eyelid corner (medial canthus) and the bridge of the nose. This is especially valuable for anyone taking once-a-day eyedrops. Get the full value of your medication.


Finally, if you need to take more than one eyedrop in any eye allow five minutes to pass between doses to keep the second drop from washing away the first drop.

Related Topics: Eye Health Center, Eye Problems

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