Follow
Eye drops or eyedrops are liquid drops that are applied directly to the surface of the eye, usually in small amounts such as one or several drops. Eye drops usually contain saline to match the salinity of the eye. Drops containing only saline and sometimes a lubricant are often used as artificial tears for dry eyes or general eye irritation such as itching or redness. Eye drops may contain one or more medications to treat a variety of eye conditions. Depending on the condition being treated, these may include steroids, antihistamines, sympathomimetics, beta receptor blockers, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, prostaglandins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antifungals, or topical anesthetics.
Eye drops have a lower risk of side effects than oral medications, and such risks can be minimized by holding the lacrimal punctum (i.e. squeezing the inner corner of the eye) for a short time after instilling the drops.
Before the development of single-use pre-loaded sterile plastic applicators, eye droppers were administered using a glass pipette with a rubber bulb.
Although most eye drop bottles contain preservatives that prevent contamination once opened, they will not prevent contamination indefinitely. Ophthalmologists recommend keeping the bottle no longer than three months after opening. Preservative-free eye drops are usually packaged in single-use tubes. Dispensers usually make drops larger; The human eye can handle about 25 microliters.
