For My Patients — Patient Guide

After eye surgery or during a long-term treatment process, some findings are part of normal healing, while others require a physician's assessment as an emergency. The table below is intended to help you distinguish which findings are expected and which are urgent.

If you are ever in doubt, it is recommended to call the clinic rather than wait. Early intervention can be decisive in preventing possible complications.

Eye drops are the most important part of treatment both for chronic eye conditions and during post-operative recovery. The effectiveness of a drop largely depends on being applied with the correct technique. Incorrect application can both reduce the drug's effect and lead to unwanted side effects.

How to instil eye drops — step by step

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before applying the drop.
2. Check the bottle tip; do not use it if it is cracked, dirty or discoloured.
3. Tilt your head back or lie down.
4. Gently pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger to create a pocket.
5. Bring the bottle close to your eye and release one drop into the conjunctival pocket (the space between the lower lid and the eye).
6. Take care that the bottle tip does not touch the eye, eyelashes or skin, as this can cause contamination.
7. Keep your eye closed for 1–2 minutes after the drop, without squeezing it shut.
8. Gently press on the punctum (the inner corner of the eye) with your finger for 1–2 minutes; this helps reduce systemic absorption of the medication via the nose and throat.

If you use more than one type of eye drop, you should wait at least 5 minutes between drops. This prevents one drop from washing out and reducing the effect of another. If your prescription includes a gel or ointment, this should always be applied last, as its thicker consistency can prevent other drops from penetrating the surface of the eye.

Storage conditions

• Some drops should be stored at room temperature, others in the refrigerator; follow the package insert or your pharmacist's instructions.
• Keep drop bottles away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• An opened bottle usually has a limited period of use (often 4 weeks); replace the bottle after this period even if it is not finished.
• Single-use vials (preservative-free drops) should be used once and discarded after opening; they should not be reused.

Note for contact lens wearers

If you use eye drops containing preservatives, it is recommended to wait at least 15 minutes after applying the drop before putting in your contact lenses. Preservatives can accumulate in soft lenses and irritate the eye's surface. Follow your physician's advice regarding lens use during the post-operative period.

What to do if you miss a dose

If you forget a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. However, if the time for the next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule; do not try to make up for it by applying two doses at once or in quick succession. If you frequently miss doses, setting a reminder alarm or using a drop tracking chart may be helpful.

Administering drops to children and infants

Applying eye drops to children is generally more difficult; the help of an adult may be needed to keep the child's head still. You can lay the child on their back and ask them to close their eyes, then place the drop at the inner corner of the closed eyelid; when the eye opens, the drop naturally spreads over the eye. In infants, swaddling or being held snugly can restrict movement and make application easier. If you have difficulty, ask your physician for further guidance on the technique.

The pre-operative preparation process is important for both a safe operation and a smooth recovery. The checklist below summarises the key points to be aware of before surgery.

• Disclose all your medications

  Inform your physician of all prescription, over-the-counter and herbal supplements you take.

• Blood thinners

  Do NOT stop blood-thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin on your own without consulting your physician.

• Prostate medication

  If you use alpha-blocker medications (e.g. tamsulosin), be sure to disclose this.

• Blood sugar and blood pressure

  Make sure your blood sugar and blood pressure are under control before surgery.

• Fasting status

  Follow your physician's instructions on whether you should arrive fasting or not on the day of surgery.

• Companion

  Arrive with a companion who can take you home on the day of surgery.

• Make-up and accessories

  Do not wear make-up, nail polish, jewellery or perfume on the day of surgery.

• Pre-operative drops

  Use any drops recommended by your physician before surgery according to the specified schedule.

• Clothing and glasses

  Wear comfortable, front-opening clothing; bring your glasses with you if you have them.

Male patients taking alpha-blocker medications (such as tamsulosin) for an enlarged prostate must be sure to share this information with their physician. These medications have been associated with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, in which the iris tissue behaves more loosely than expected during surgery. If your physician knows this information in advance, the surgical plan can be adjusted accordingly.

Timeline for the day of surgery

1. Before surgery

   Arrival at the hospital/clinic

   Arrive at the stated time; necessary measurements and checks may be repeated.

2. Preparation

   Drops and preparation

   Drops to dilate the pupil and provide anaesthesia are applied.

3. Surgery

   Procedure duration

   The surgery is generally short; the team remains in communication with you throughout the process.

4. Afterwards

   Brief observation and discharge

   You can go home with your companion after a short period of observation following the procedure.

Fully following the drop regimen determined by your physician after surgery is important for healthy healing. Drops are usually tapered and discontinued gradually; do not change or stop the schedule early on your own without your physician's advice.

• Wear the protective glasses recommended by your physician during the day, and the night shield while sleeping.
• Do not rub your eye or apply pressure to it.
• Stinging, mild redness, watering, light sensitivity and a gritty sensation in the first days are part of the expected healing process.

Things to avoid

• Stay away from dusty and dirty environments.
• Do not let dirty water come into contact with your eye.
• Avoid heavy lifting and movements that require bending forward.
• Postpone swimming pools, the sea and steam baths for the period specified by your physician.
• Postpone eye make-up use until your physician approves.

When bathing and washing your hair, take care to prevent water and shampoo from getting into your eye; tilting your head back while washing can be helpful. The time before driving and returning to work varies by individual and type of surgery; your physician will recommend a personalised timeline after assessing your visual acuity.

Follow-up appointment schedule

1. Day 1

   First check-up

   The general condition of the eye is assessed on the first day after surgery.

2. Week 1

   Early recovery check-up

   The healing process and adherence to the drop regimen are reviewed.

3. Month 1

   Stabilisation check-up

   Visual acuity and the condition of the eye's surface are assessed, and the drop regimen is adjusted if needed.

This page is designed to be printable. You can use your browser's print option to make a copy and hang it somewhere visible at home. Noting your drop schedule and which drop you apply to which eye on the margin of this printout can help avoid confusion, especially if you use more than one drop. It is also recommended to add your follow-up appointment dates to the same page.