Putting in eye drops correctly comes down to a few key steps: clean hands, head tilted back, a small pocket pulled in your lower lid, and one drop placed right into that pocket without touching the bottle tip to your eye. Most people struggle with this at first, but once you understand the mechanics, it becomes routine.
Step-by-Step Technique
Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a clean paper towel or fresh cloth. Hand sanitizer works in a pinch, but soap and water is the better option since bacteria from your hands are one of the main ways eye drop bottles get contaminated.
Tilt your head back and look up toward the ceiling. Pick a specific spot to focus on. With the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand, gently pull your lower eyelid down and slightly outward. This creates a small pocket (called the conjunctival sac) between your lower lid and your eyeball. That pocket is your target.
Hold the bottle above your eye with your other hand, tip pointing down, and squeeze out a single drop into that pocket. Keep the bottle tip at least a finger’s width away from your eye. Do not let it touch your eyelid, lashes, or the surface of your eye. After the drop lands, let go of your lower lid and gently close your eyes. Don’t blink rapidly or squeeze your eyes shut.
With your eyes closed, lightly press your fingertip against the inner corner of your eye, right next to the bridge of your nose. Hold that gentle pressure for about two minutes. This blocks the drop from draining down through your tear duct and into your throat, which is why some people taste eye drops or experience side effects in other parts of the body. For medicated drops like glaucoma treatments, this step matters a lot.
Why One Drop Is Enough
A standard eye drop bottle releases about 40 microliters of liquid per drop. Your eye can only hold 7 to 10 microliters at a time. That means roughly 75% of every drop overflows as runoff down your cheek or drains into your tear duct. A second drop just adds more waste, so one drop per eye is all you need unless your doctor specifically says otherwise.
If you’re not sure the drop actually landed in your eye, it’s fine to try again. You’ll usually feel a brief coolness or slight wetness when the drop hits. If you felt nothing, you likely missed.
Using Multiple Eye Drops
If you use more than one type of eye drop, wait at least five minutes between each one. This gives the first medication time to absorb before the second drop washes it away. Apply liquid drops before any eye ointments, since ointments create a greasy barrier that blocks absorption of drops applied afterward.
Keeping the Bottle Clean
The single most important hygiene rule: never let the dropper tip touch anything. Not your eye, not your finger, not the counter. A 30-year review of contaminated eye drop bottles found bacteria ranging from common skin organisms to more dangerous ones like Pseudomonas, which can damage the cornea even when the surface is healthy, and Serratia marcescens, which can cause corneal ulcers. These organisms get transferred to the bottle tip through accidental contact with hands, eyelashes, or skin, then multiply inside the bottle.
Replace the cap immediately after each use. Store your drops according to the label, as some require refrigeration while others just need room temperature. Most preservative-containing eye drops remain safe until their printed expiration date if stored properly, but some formulations have a shorter window once opened. Single-use vials should be discarded after one use. If your packaging includes a “discard after opening” date, follow it.
Tips When Your Hands Aren’t Steady
Shaky hands are the most common reason people struggle with eye drops, especially older adults or anyone with conditions like Parkinson’s disease. A few adjustments help. Rest the hand holding the bottle against your forehead or the bridge of your nose to stabilize it. You can also try lying flat on your back so gravity does the work. Some people find it easier to use both hands on the bottle while a mirror helps with aim.
Assistive devices also exist. One design, developed through the VA healthcare system, features a hammer-style handle with a support that rests against your cheekbone, giving you a stable platform and better alignment. It holds standard single-use vials and works with either hand. Similar squeeze-assist devices are available at pharmacies and online. If you regularly struggle, ask your pharmacist what’s in stock.
Putting Drops in a Child’s Eyes
Children, especially babies and toddlers, rarely cooperate for eye drops. For infants, swaddling works well: wrap the child snugly in a blanket with their arms tucked in so they can’t grab at your hands. Lay them on their back on a flat surface.
If the child won’t keep their eyes open, gently hold the upper and lower eyelids apart with one hand while you instill the drop with the other. Use light pressure only and avoid pressing on the eyeball itself. Having a second adult help, one to hold the child still and one to administer the drop, makes the process much easier and safer. For a toddler who clamps their eyes shut, you can place the drop in the inner corner of the closed eye, then gently tilt their head so the drop rolls in when they open up.
Contact Lenses and Eye Drops
Over-the-counter artificial tears labeled “contact lens compatible” or “for use with contacts” can go directly onto your lenses. For all other drops, especially medicated ones, remove your lenses first. Most preservatives and active ingredients in prescription drops can absorb into soft contact lens material, concentrating chemicals against your cornea and potentially causing irritation or damage. Wait at least 10 to 15 minutes after using medicated drops before putting your lenses back in.