Question

ack has an inflammation of the cornea of his left eye. He has been prescribed an anti-inflammatory solution to use in his eye three times a day. Jack tells you that in the past, the physician has prescribed the same medication for use in his ears for an infection. The expiration date on the old otic medication has not passed.

1. Can Jack use the otic solution instead of buying the new ophthalmic medicine?

2. Why can Jack expect some blurring of vision after instilling the drops?

3. Where should Jack place the drops in his eyes?

Answer 1

1. The answer is NO. medicines that labelled otic are for ears. You should not instill otic drops in eyes. If one applies otic drops to eyes, he may have burning and stinging in eyes and also cause blurring of vision. It will cause serious or permanent damage to eyes rarely. Eye tissue is much more sensitive than ears.

2. Anti - inflammatory eye drops can cause blurred vision when first put in. This will be cleared after few minutes. Advice the patient not to drive until vision becomes clear again.

3. Teach the client to follow these steps while instilling eye drops.

-> wash hands well before instilling drops.

-> Remove the cap.

-> Sit comfortably in chair.

-> Tilt the head back a little and pull the lower lid of eye downwards to form a pocket.

-> Hold the bottle upside down near to eye. do not touch the eye with bottle tip.

-.> Apply pressure to gently release one drop into eye.

-> Close the eye for five minutes and press gently on the side of nose where the corner of eye meets the nose. This will prevents the eye drops from draining away.

-> Repeat this process in the other eye if physician is advised to do so.

-> Replace the cap and wash hands.