Managing Medications: Administering Eye Drops

Most people have had to administer eye drops to themselves or a child. It’s a little more challenging when you do this for an older adult who may be uncertain about your skills. This video in the Home Alone Alliance TM series will make it easier; it demonstrates two ways to administer eye drops. The usual way to administer eye drops is to pull down the lower lid and put the eye drop into the “pocket.” If your family member is not cooperative you can administer an eye drop to their closed eye. When your family member blinks or opens their eye, the drop will go in. Margaret just had cataract surgery and her grandson Tom will be helping her by administering the prescribed eye drops when she goes home today. Margaret is wearing an eye patch as recommended by her health care provider for the day of surgery, which is now performed mostly on an outpatient basis. Different types of eye drops are often prescribed to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure. Get more resources and how-to videos from AARP's Home Alone Alliance