Applying erythromycin eye ointment correctly means pulling down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket, then squeezing a thin ribbon of ointment (about 1 cm, or roughly a third of an inch) directly into that pocket. The process takes less than a minute, but getting the technique right ensures the medication actually reaches the infection and stays there long enough to work.
Step-by-Step Application
Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This is the single most important step, since touching your eye with dirty fingers can introduce new bacteria and make an infection worse. If you’re having trouble applying the ointment yourself, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
Tilt your head slightly forward. Hold the tube between your thumb and index finger, and brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose for stability. This keeps your hand steady and prevents the tube tip from accidentally poking your eye.
With the index finger of your free hand, gently pull your lower eyelid downward and away from the eye. This creates a small pocket between the lid and the eyeball. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment, about 1 cm (roughly 1/3 inch) long, directly into that pocket. That small ribbon is the standard dose for most infections unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Look downward, then gently close your eyes. Keep them closed for one to two minutes so the ointment has time to spread across the surface of the eye and absorb into the infected tissue. Do not blink rapidly or rub your eyes, even though your vision will be blurry. The blurriness typically clears within a few minutes.
After you open your eyes, wipe any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Replace and tighten the cap on the tube immediately. Wash your hands again when you’re done.
Keeping the Tube Sterile
The tip of the ointment tube should never touch your eye, your eyelid, your fingers, or any other surface. If the tip makes contact with anything, it can pick up bacteria and contaminate the remaining ointment in the tube. After each use, wipe the tip with a clean tissue before recapping. Always keep the tube tightly closed when not in use.
Contact Lenses and Blurred Vision
Remove contact lenses before applying the ointment. Eye ointments are oil-based and should not be used while wearing lenses. The general recommendation for eye drops is to wait at least 10 to 15 minutes before reinserting contacts, but ointments leave a thicker residue that can coat lenses and interfere with vision. If you’re being treated for an eye infection, your doctor may advise you to avoid contacts entirely until the infection clears.
Expect your vision to blur for a few minutes after each application. This is normal and happens because the ointment forms a temporary film over the surface of the eye. Avoid driving or doing anything that requires sharp vision right after applying it. Many people find it easiest to apply the ointment right before bed, when the temporary blur won’t matter.
How Often to Apply
For superficial eye infections, erythromycin ointment is typically applied up to six times daily, depending on how severe the infection is. Your doctor will tell you the specific frequency. Stick to the schedule even if symptoms improve before you finish the course, since stopping an antibiotic early can allow surviving bacteria to regrow.
Why This Ointment Is Used on Newborns
If you’re a new parent, you may have seen or been told that erythromycin ointment was applied to your baby’s eyes shortly after birth. This is standard practice, required by law in most U.S. states. A single ribbon of 0.5% erythromycin ointment is placed in each of the newborn’s eyes, ideally within the first 24 hours, to prevent a serious eye infection that can occur if the baby is exposed to gonorrhea or chlamydia during delivery. Without treatment, this type of infection can damage the eye and lead to blindness. The ointment is applied regardless of whether the delivery was vaginal or cesarean.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Touching the tube tip to the eye. Even light contact can contaminate the ointment and scratch the cornea.
- Using too much ointment. A 1 cm strip is the standard dose. More doesn’t work better and just creates excess mess.
- Rubbing your eyes after application. This pushes the ointment out of the pocket and off the eye surface before it can absorb.
- Skipping the hand wash. You need to wash both before and after. Before protects the eye, after protects everything else you touch from spreading the infection.
- Opening your eyes too soon. Keeping your eyes closed for one to two minutes gives the medication time to coat the infected area. Opening immediately lets it drain away.