General Eye Care

Cleaning the eye

* The operated eye should be cleaned at least twice a day.

* The attendant performing this task should wash the hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.

* You may use disposable tissues supplied at the center for this purpose. Alternately, you may place cotton in a clean vessel, cover it, with a lid for 10 minutes, let it cool down, take the cotton out, squeeze the excess water and use the same to clean.

* Cleaning the lower lid is done by asking the patient to look up and wiping all the secretions sticking to the lower lid margin.

* Cleaning the upper lid is done by asking the patient to look down and doing the similar procedure.

* Similarly, the outer and inner corners of the eye are cleaned.

* Once the margins and corners are cleaned, the eye drops can be applied and then the surrounding areas can also be cleaned.

Applying medications in the eye

* The attendant should wash his/her hands with soap and water.

* The cap of the eye drop bottle should be opened carefully without contaminating the tip of the nozzle. Replace the cap of the bottle immediately after use.

* Pull the lower lid and place the drop between the eyeball and the lid by squeezing the bottle.

* Wipe away excess medicine that may trickle out, after asking the patient to gently close the eye.

* The eyes should be kept closed for a period of 5 minutes after the drop is applied.

* Always apply drops before applying the ointment.

* Leave a period of at least 5 minutes between two medications.

* Make sure that the right drops are being used for the right number of times.