Here are some instructions to help you use eye drops for your child.
Read the label carefully before giving your child medicine and be sure it's labeled for ophthalmic (eye) use.
Before using the drops:
Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry with a clean towel.
If your child's eyes are crusty, clean them first with a wet, warm washcloth or cotton ball (using a separate one for each side) by wiping from the inside corner of the eye to the outer corner. If you have trouble removing the crust, leave the wet washcloth or cotton ball on the closed eye for about 30 seconds before wiping.
To use the eye drops:
Have your child lie on their back.
If your child needs help staying still, have someone help you. If you are alone, these steps can help your child stay still:
Sit on the floor with your legs spread out.
Put your child face up between your thighs with their legs pointing away from you.
Put your child's arms under your thighs.
For infants, it may help to gently swaddle your baby's arms and hands in a blanket while you give the eye drops. This will keep the baby from grabbing the bottle.
Shake the bottle before using, if recommended.
If your child is old enough, ask them to look up.
To keep your hand steady, rest your wrist lightly on your child's face.
Hold the dropper about 1 inch above the eye.
Do not let the dropper touch your child's eye, your hands, or anything else.
Gently pull down your child's lower eyelid, forming a small pouch.
Drop the medicine into the pouch of the lower eyelid, then let go of the eyelid.
Have your child gently close or blink the eye for a few seconds to allow the drops to spread out over the eyeball.
If you have trouble getting the drops in your child's eye, or if your child won't open their eyes, you can put the drops on the inside corner of your child's closed eye. When they open the eye, the medicine will flow into it.
Wipe away any extra medicine or tears with a clean tissue.
Recap the medicine bottle.
Wash your hands.
Safely store the medicine out of the reach of children.
If you need to give another type of eye drops or eye ointment, wait a few minutes before using the second medicine.
You have trouble giving your child the eye drops.
Your child:
develops a fever
has new or more swelling, or redness or tenderness in the eyelids or around the eye
has eye burning or itching after getting the drops
doesn't get better after you have followed the health care provider's instructions
