Eye drops

[Donaloge]

I have recently been diagnosed with suspected glaucoma. The consultant prescribed Latanoprost 50 microgram, one drop per day.

I have the Thea Eyot eye drop dispenser, but whether I use that or not I have trouble getting the eye drop to land in the eyelid pocket as recommended.

I wonder whether anyone knows whether it is essential for the drop to land in the pocket. Or will it roll down there anyway if it hits the eye itself.

I should also appreciate any tips for administering eye drops properly.

Thank you.

John

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

The Thea Eyot is designed in such a way the the larger lip will pull down your lower lid for you, while the smaller lip will rest on the brow. This is so it is the correct position to dispense the drop.

youtube.com/watch?v=ftEUwbr...(Not working as expected?)

[Donaloge in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Trish,

Thank you for your reply to my post. The video you gave a link to was helpful. However, both the video and the instructions that come with the Thea Eyot seem to show the bigger lip as the lower one with the smaller one resting on the eyebrow.

Best wishes,

John

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Donaloge]

That was my error, I do apologies. Thank you for pointing this out to me. I have now amended my original reply. I am glad you found the video helpful.

[Extrahelp in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

That's brilliant to know, thanks Trish!I'm instructed to use Ganfort in both eyes nightly (although right eye is blind) and find it hard to use the pods compared to bottle drops so I've ordered one!

For the last few years I have carried my drop around in a Frio bag which is a cooling pouch that fits in my handbag. Frio sell cooling products.

The pouch stays cool for several days after immersing in cool water which reacts with the crystals inside the pouch..its amazing! and the drops are always cool so I know when they hit my eye!

Just thought I'd mention the product as I've found it very useful.

Thankyou

[muddledme]

Hello Donaloge,

I think you will probably find getting drops in your eyes much easier with practice. Meanwhile there is excellent advice on the Glaucoma UK website showing various ways to administer drops, you can download the article or, I think, ask for a leaflet.

If you are able to keep your drops in the door of the fridge ( each make is different , so worth checking in the patient information leaflet) then as the drops will be cold you will at least know if they are in the eye. This has always been my guide .

Following surgery I only use lubricants now , but personally find it easier to tilt my head back and aim for the eye lid pocket but the drop may land on the eye then runs down towards the pocket and I move my eyes around a lot whilst keeping them closed.

You are correct to try and put the drops in properly and regularly as they can be very effective. Do always report any side effects or problems obtaining drops to your eye clinic .

I have found the Glaucoma UK helpline is very good by phone or e mail .

Good luck with the drops, and Best wishes.

[Donaloge in reply to muddledme]

Thank you for your reply to my post, which was very helpful.

John

[Reformer]

I use Monopoly single use which also fit in the Thea, but I've never found it helpful! I pull my lower lid down with my left hand, hold the drops between my thumb and middle finger of my right hand and put my right index finger on my eyebrow to steady things. There are lots of good videos on the internet re drops including ones from Moorefields Eye Hosp - about drops generally and using These also.Muddledme is absolutely right - you will get better very soon. The fridge is a good thing if you can keep your drops in that.

I think the bottom lid pocket thing is just to 'capture' most of the drop rather than run out of the eye. If you have the lid pulled down there I think wherever the drop hits on the eyeball it will travel down to it.

[Donaloge in reply to Reformer]

Thank you for your comments.

John