Should I keep my eyes open or closed after applying eye drops?
Apr 19, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
After applying eye drops, it is recommended to keep your eyes closed for 3 to 5 minutes before opening them. Place the eye drops into the conjunctival sac, then close your eyes for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps reduce tear evaporation and allows the medication to reach the central cornea, ensuring adequate drug concentration on the corneal surface. Open your eyes slowly after the medication has been sufficiently absorbed. Opening the eyes too soon may cause rapid dilution or drying of the eye drops, which is unfavorable for improving inflammation.
After applying eye drops, it is generally recommended to keep the eyes closed for 3 to 5 minutes before opening them. The detailed explanation is as follows:
When administering eye drops, tilt your head backward and use the other hand to gently pull down the lower eyelid, then instill the drops into the conjunctival sac. Afterward, close your eyes for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps reduce tear evaporation and allows the eye drops to reach the central cornea, ensuring adequate medication concentration on the corneal surface. During this time, press gently on the inner corner of the eye (near the nose), and you may also move your eyeballs up and down slightly. Once the eye drops are sufficiently absorbed, slowly open your eyes. Opening the eyes too soon may cause the eye drops to dilute or dry quickly, which is not conducive to improving eye inflammation.
When experiencing eye discomfort, it is advisable to use eye drops under a doctor's guidance and avoid using them indiscriminately to prevent potential eye irritation.
