The experience of applying an eyedrop and then sensing a distinct, often unpleasant, taste in the back of your throat is common. This sensation can be surprising because the eyes and the mouth seem entirely separate. The taste is not a sign that the medication is harmful or that you applied it incorrectly. This strange flavor is a direct result of the internal connection between your eyes, nose, and throat.
The Plumbing System Connecting Eyes and Mouth
The reason you can taste your drops lies in the body’s natural tear drainage system, a series of tubes designed to carry excess fluid away from the eye surface. This system begins with two small openings in the inner corner of your upper and lower eyelids, known as the puncta. These puncta act as drains, leading into tiny tubes called the canaliculi, which merge into the lacrimal sac.
From the lacrimal sac, the fluid travels down the nasolacrimal duct, a channel that empties directly into the nasal cavity. This pathway is why your nose often runs when you cry; excess tears drain into the nose. Once the eyedrop solution reaches the nasal cavity, it flows down the back of the throat. There, taste buds on the tongue and soft palate detect the dissolved chemicals. This process explains how a liquid intended for the eye can quickly reach the taste receptors in the mouth.
Variables That Intensify the Taste Sensation
The strength of the taste varies and depends on the drop’s composition and the amount used. Eyedrop formulations often contain medication or preservatives, like benzalkonium chloride, which have bitter or metallic flavors. Highly concentrated medications, such as certain glaucoma treatments, are more likely to produce a noticeable taste when draining into the throat.
The volume of the drop also plays a role. A standard eye drop contains more liquid than the eye can comfortably hold, leading to excess runoff. A larger drop means more medication is available to enter the drainage system, intensifying the flavor. Blinking accelerates drainage by acting as a pump that pushes the liquid down the duct, resulting in a quicker, stronger flavor sensation.
Simple Methods to Avoid Tasting Eyedrops
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take immediately after application to prevent the drops from reaching the throat. The most effective technique is called punctal occlusion, which involves gently pressing on the inner corner of the eyelid near the bridge of the nose. Using a clean finger, apply light pressure to this area for 20 seconds to two minutes after the drop is administered. This action temporarily closes the puncta, blocking the entrance to the tear drainage system.
Another helpful practice is to keep the eyes closed for one to two minutes after applying the drop, without squeezing or blinking. Avoiding blinking prevents the eyelid muscles from pumping the liquid down the nasolacrimal duct. Use a clean tissue to blot away any excess liquid that collects on the outside of the eyelids. Removing this runoff ensures the fluid does not pool near the puncta and enter the drainage system. These methods keep the medication on the eye surface longer, improving absorption and reducing the amount of solution that reaches your throat.