6.8.3: Ophthalmic route
- Page ID
- 89639
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Supplies and equipment required to administer eye drops include:
- Provider’s medication order
- Appropriate equipment for order
- Gloves
- Sterile Gauze
- Ear drops
Practice medical asepsis and work in a well-lit area without distractions when preparing eye drops. Eye drops must remain sterile. If the eye drop bottle is contaminated, do not use it. Follow the nine rights of drug administration and check for drug allergies. Only administer drugs ordered by the provider and that you have prepared yourself. If the MA has any questions about the drug, do not administer the drug until all questions have been answered.
Follow the following steps for safe administration of ophthalmic drugs:
- Use a drug reference source to review information on the drug ordered.
- Calculate the amount of drug to be administered.
- Wash hands.
- Check the drug label against the provider’s order. Check for the drug name, form, and route.
- Check the expiration date on the drug packaging.
- Prepare medication with the correct equipment for the ophthalmic administration route.
- Perform another check for the right name, form, route, and dose.
- Greet the patient and identify yourself. Verify the patient’s identity by asking for their name and date of birth. Check the patient’s identification bracelet if required.
- Ask the patient if they have any drug allergies.
- Provide patient education. Explain the drug ordered, the indication for the drug, side effects, adverse effects, and the provider who ordered the drug.
- Perform any assessments before administering the drug.
- Allow the patient to ask questions.
- Wash hands.
- Assist the patient into a sitting or supine position.
- Don gloves.
- If crusting is present on the eye, wipe gently with moistened sterile gauze from the inner canthus to the outer canthus of the eye. Discard gauze after each wipe. Dry the area.
- Hold a sterile gauze with the non-dominant hand and use the gauze to pull the lower conjunctival sac downward to create a pocket in the lower eyelid. Instruct the patient to look up toward their forehead.
- With the dominant hand, hold the dropper ¾ inch above the eye (or higher if the patient has longer eyelashes) to prevent contamination.
- Drop the required number of drops into the conjunctival sac.
- Instruct the patient to gently press against the inner corner of their eye near the nose (lacrimal duct) for one minute to prevent the eye drops from draining into the nose.
- Instruct the patient to keep their eye closed for 2-3 minutes.
- Assist the patient into a comfortable position.
- Clean the area, remove gloves, and wash hands.
- Document medication administration.
- Document patient response and patient education.