Eye and Ear Medications

Eye and Ear Instillation

Most common form of medicine

liquid soultion in the form of drops that is applied directly to the eyes and ears

Ophthalmic administration

relating to the eye and its diseases

Only optic and ophthalmic medications….

are used for the eye

For eye instillation patient should be

lying down or sitting back in a chair with the head tilted back. Clean any debris from eye area and provide tissue to patient to blot excess medication

First step in eye instillation

with nondominant hand, gently pulll down the lower lid of the affected eye using thumb or two fingers to expose conjunctival sac

Second step on eye instillation

Gently rest dominant hand on pt. forehead and dispense a drop approximately ½ in above the sac

If cream or ointment is being administered into the eye

evenly apply a thin ribbon of it along the inside edge of the lower eyelid on the conjunctiva, moving medical to lateral.

Third step of eye instillation

Release the eyelid and instruct the patient to close the eyes. Repeat if other eye requires tx.

Fourth step of eye instillation

Remove any excess medication with a clean tissue and ask whether patient is feeling any discomfort or pain and observe any adverse reactions

Fifth step of eye instillation

apply a clean eye patch if ordered

Another word for ear instillation/administration

Otic administration

For ear instillation have patient

lie on one side with the affected ear facing up

For adult ears pull pinna of the auricle (outer ear)

outward and upward

For children and infants pull pinna of the auricle (outer ear)

outward and downward

By adjusting the ear canal

it allows for better medication distribution

Step one for ear instillation

hold the applicator ½ in above the ear canal and administer the number of prescribed drops

Step two to ear administration

have the patient remain in the position for at least 5 min

Step three of ear instillation

ask whether the patient is feeling any discomfort or pain and observe for adverse reactions

Step four of ear instillation

loosely insert a small, clean wad of cotton, if ordered before treating the other ear, if applicable