How to administer eye drops and eye ointment

Rationale and key points

Eye drops and eye ointment are the mainstay of treatment of ocular conditions. Failure to prioritise administration of these medicines can prolong the condition and may present a risk to the patient’s vision.

• Eye drops and eye ointments are used to treat acute and chronic conditions of the eye and surrounding structures. Eye drops must be instilled before applying eye ointment, since the ointment will affect the absorption of the eye drop.
• Nurses require knowledge of the technique, side effects and potential interactions associated with systemically or topically applied medicines to the eye to ensure patient safety and optimum outcomes.

Keywords

clinical procedures, clinical skills, eye care, eye drops, eye ointment, ophthalmic care, ophthalmology

Learning objectives

After reading this module, you should be able to:

• Explain the correct use of eye drops and eye ointment.
• List the equipment required to administer eye drops and eye ointment.
• Identify how to prepare for and assist with the procedure.
• List the various steps involved in the procedure.
• Explain the precautions necessary before instilling eye drops or applying eye ointment.

Preparation and equipment

Figure 1

• The nurse should explain any treatment of an ocular condition to the patient to ensure they understand what is involved and to gain informed verbal consent, where possible.
• The nurse requires knowledge of the anatomy of the eye (Figure 1), the eyelids and eyelashes.

• The nurse should assess the patient’s eye and eyelids for any signs of infection or allergic reaction. In the case of allergic reaction, the nurse should not proceed with the administration of eye drops or eye ointment. Findings should be documented on the patient’s prescription chart and in the patient’s notes, and medical staff should be informed immediately.
• The nurse should ensure the necessary equipment is available, including:
  • Patient’s prescription.
  • Eye drops or ointment.
  • Tissues or an eye dressing pack containing sterile cotton wool or non-linting swabs.
  • Sterile water or saline for aseptic technique.
• The nurse should ask the patient if they are wearing contact lenses. If this is the case, these should be removed and discarded along with any containers in which they have been kept. The patient should be advised that contact lenses should not be worn for the duration of their treatment and to wear glasses instead.
• If the patient presents with an infection in both eyes, separate bottles of eye drops or eye ointment tubes should be used for each eye and labelled accordingly.

Equipment wheel

Learning points

1. Eye drops and eye ointment are used to treat acute and chronic conditions of the eye and delay in administration of these medicines may present a risk to the patient's vision.
2. Knowledge of the anatomy of the eye, the eyelids and eyelashes is important for a nurse who is involved in treatment of an ocular condition.
3. The nurse should not proceed with the administration of eye drops or eye ointment if there are any signs of allergic reaction.
4. The patient should be advised to wear glasses instead of contact lenses during the course of their treatment.