How to give your child eye drops

Instructions on giving your child eye drops

• Wash your hands.

• Shake the bottle.

• Remove the top from the bottle and throw away the plastic seal.

• Get your child into any of these positions to give the eye drops:

• tilt your child’s head back

• lay your child flat on his or her back

• ask someone to hold your child in a safe position

• wrap your baby or young child in a light blanket or sheet to keep his or her arms and legs still

• Gently pull down your child’s lower eyelid.

• Avoid touching the dropper against your child’s eye, eyelashes or any other surface.

• Hold the dropper above your child’s eye and squeeze one drop into the lower eyelid.

• Release the lower eyelid and let your child blink a few times to make sure the drop is spread around the eye.

• Wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.

• If you are using another type of eye drop, wait a few minutes before giving it. This will stop the first drop being washed out by the second before it has had time to work.

If your child is getting very distressed

This is an alternative way of giving your child eye drops but it does not work as well as the method explained above. You should use this method if it is the only way your child will have the eye drops.

• Wash your hands.

• Shake the bottle.

• Remove the top from the bottle.

• Tilt your child’s head back or lay him flat on his or her back with eyes closed.

• Place the drop onto the side of the closed eye nearest the nose.

• Either let your child’s eye open or gently rub the eyelids so the drop will bathe the eye.

Looking after your child’s eye drops

• Ask your pharmacist about storing the medicine. Some need to be kept in the fridge but others only need to be kept out of direct sunlight. Always store medicines in a safe place where children cannot reach them.
• Read the instructions on the label and only use the drops in the eye(s) stated.
• Eye drops should be used within four weeks of opening. This is because they can become dirty and infected. If you are giving your child eye drops for a certain number of days, write the date you open the bottle on the label so you will know when to throw it away.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children

If you have any questions about your child’s eye drops, please ask your family doctor (GP) or local community pharmacist.

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: September 2006

Ref: F060437 © GOSH Trust September 2006
Compiled by the Pharmacy department in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group

Please read this information in conjunction with any patient information leaflet provided by the manufacturer. However, please note that this information explains about the use of medicines in children and young people so may differ from the manufacturer’s information.

Each person reacts differently to medicines so your child will not necessarily suffer every side effect mentioned. This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.