Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for an eye problem, and the doctor gave you eye medicines. You might have gotten eye drops, gel, or ointment. You will apply the medicine directly to your eye.
Use the medicine exactly as instructed.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor or eye doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Before you use the medicine:
•Read the label to make sure you have the correct medicine. Make sure it is not expired.
•Know if you need the medicine in 1 eye or both.
•Know how long to use the medicine and how often to apply it. If you are using eye drops, know how many drops to use.
•If you wear contact lenses, know if you need to take them out before using the medicine.
•Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after you touch your eyes or use an eye medicine.
•If you have any drainage or crusting in your eye, gently remove it before you use the medicine. Use a clean, warm, wet cloth or cotton ball.
●To use eye drops or gel:
•Shake the medicine well.
•Take off the cap. Lay it on its side on a clean surface.
•Tilt your head back. Use 1 finger to gently pull your lower eyelid away from your eye to form a pouch.
•With your other hand, squeeze the correct number of drops into the pouch. Do not let the tip of the medicine bottle touch anything, including your finger and your eye.
If you have trouble keeping your eye open to put the medicine in, try to gently close your eye. Place the eye drop in the corner of your eye near your nose. Slowly open your eye, and blink a few times. The eye drop will move into your eye.
•Gently close your eyes. The doctor might have told you to press 1 finger on the inside corner of your eye by your nose and apply pressure to your tear duct. This helps the eye drop stay in your eye and prevents draining into your nose.
•After 1 to 2 minutes, move your finger and open your eyes.
•Place the cap back on the bottle. Be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle.
•Wash your hands.
●To use eye ointment:
•Take the cap off. Lay it on its side on a clean surface.
•Tilt your head back. Use 1 finger to gently pull your lower eyelid down and away from your eye to form a pouch.
•With your other hand, squeeze a small strip (about 1/4 inch, or 1 cm) of ointment into the pouch. Do not let the tip of the tube touch anything, including your finger and your eye.
If you have trouble keeping your eye open to put the ointment in, ask someone to help you.
•Gently blink your eye a few times, then close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps the ointment stay in.
•Then, use a clean tissue to remove any extra ointment around your eye. Be careful not to touch your eye.
•Put the cap back on the tube. Be careful not to touch the tip of the tube.
•Wash your hands.
●After using some eye gels or ointments, your vision might be blurry for a little while.
●Know how to store the eye medicines. Protect them from heat and sunlight. Ask if they need to be stored in the refrigerator.
●Some eye drops come in single-use containers. They should only be used to give 1 dose, even if some medicine is left over.
●If you are using more than 1 kind of eye drop, wait at least 5 minutes between using different drops.
●If you are using eye drops or gel and eye ointment, use the drop or gel first. Wait at least 5 minutes before using the ointment.
●Do not share eye medicines with other people.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You have very bad eye pain.
•Your eye pain does not improve after 24 to 48 hours.
•You have a change in your eyesight (that is not just blurry vision right after using eye gel or ointment).
•You have a cloudy spot or sore on the front of your eye.
•You cannot tolerate bright lights.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●Signs of an eye infection, like swelling, redness, warmth, pain, or drainage from the eye
●Blurry vision, tearing, or blinking an hour after you use an eye medicine
●New or worsening symptoms
