Giving myself eyedrops

[PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo]

How do you get eyedrops into your own eyes without making a mess all over your face?

Also, if you can't do it without touching the dropper to your eyelashes, can you still use bottles? I'm using single-dose capsules, but want to be able to carry a bottle in my bag, and I'm worried about contamination.

I read somewhere if you close your eye then drop it in to the inside corner, then open your eye it goes in. Have never tried this though. Good luck.

Hi PrettyCandles,

I worked in ophthalmology for a while, do you have a mirror with a shelf/sink etc underneath?

You need to put your elbows on the shelf and lean in close to the mirror,
Use the oposite hand to the eye you're wanting to put drops in (eg left eye right hand and vice versa) to grasp (very gently) your lower lashes and gently pull them downwards so your lower lid forms a little pocket,
Use the other hand (this is when the hand thing gets muddled otherwise) to pop a drop into the pocket from the outside of the eye (side furthest away from your nose),
This is easier as you have your elbow on the stable surface and hand with dropper rested against the face,
Then still holding the lashes slightly away from the eye close your lids,
Let go, keep them closed for 5ish seconds then blink like a crazy person.

If having trouble coordinating or focusing or whatever then i'd do what MegG suggests but lay on your back with a mirror in your other hand to make sure you get the drop onto where the little pink bit at the inner corner (by your nose) and try to keep your eye open for a few seconds to let the medication wash over before blinking.
Ooh and make sure you're not wearing any eye make-up.

Either way there's no reason for the dropper to touch anything.

FWIW some dropper bottles don't work by being squeased, they need a gentle tap on the end to get a drop out, this is where droppers can get difficult.

Hope that helps a bit

Thanks, I'll try both ways.

I don't have a mirror with a shelf, and won't be able to lie down when I'm out and about, but, hey, I managed in all sorts of complicated situations when I wore contacts, so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually.

(She says, wiping her face again )

If you position your little finger along the side of your nose when you do it it is much easier to get the right spot.

Which little finger, on which side of my nose, while holding the drops in which hand and applying them to which eye? Also, little finger pointing up or down?

I've tried several permutations and can't work out what you mean, Kitten.

Coincidentally I asked about this for upcoming surgery today.

They suggested something called autodrop.

The hand holding the drops with little finger pointed up going into the eye on the same side. (I have a lot of personal experience with eye drops)

does that make any sense ?

Thanks, everyone.

Much easier and less messy using the mirror, but I'm still going to have to master a head-back method for when I use the little single-use vials, as once I've treated the first eye there's not enough left to get it into the second eye with the vial still horizontal.

I'll get there eventually!