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Tip for those using eye drops

(40 Posts)
Schnackie2 Mon 22-Dec-25 16:15:49

Just wanted to throw this out there, as I am having very dry eyes and find myself using eye drops more often. Many years ago I had an appointment at a university medical school in the ophthalmology department. As I was leaving with prescription eye drops, an assistant told me if you keep them in your pocket (think I was wearing jeans), they will become your body temperature and you won't even feel them going in. This worked marvelously, but I took it a step further and slipped them into my bra! The very cold drops going into our eyes is something of a shock, so this makes sense. Hope it helps someone.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 22-Dec-25 16:54:28

A nurse told my stepfather to pull his cheeks down to make a ‘pouch’ to put eye drops in after his cataract operation. He was glad of the suggestion.

Aveline Tue 23-Dec-25 09:28:07

My eyes can be dry which is most uncomfortable. On a recent trip to the optician he told me that eye drops don't help this problem. It's a matter of eyelids not secreting enough oil. A surprise to me. He advised me to use a heated, weighted eye mask once a day for a minimum of 7 minutes. I have tried this and, on days that I remember to do it, it seems to help. Of course this is only for dry eyes. I know there are other reasons for drops.

nanna8 Tue 23-Dec-25 09:33:33

I have been told that,too Aveline . The problem is actually doing it ! I don’t mind cold eyedrops, I actually enjoy that cold feeling. I don’t think the drops do much ,though.

Sago Tue 23-Dec-25 09:36:47

My eye drops all have to be refrigerated.

Please check first.

JdotJ Tue 23-Dec-25 14:11:48

I have very dry eyes and have recently been referred and seen at our local hospital.

Ive now got Hylo Dual Intense day and night drops/gel on prescription from the Consultant plus, an 8 week course of steroid drops (Prednisolone).
Of interest, I was told with the steroid drops than when putting into eye to press against each side of my nose for a few seconds, otherwise the steroid medication finds its way into my nose/throat etc, where it shouldn't be.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 23-Dec-25 16:03:01

The pressing your eye in the corner where the tear duct is should be for 2 minutes not seconds to prevent the liquid going into your nose and then internally. Trust me I have been using drops for glaucoma for more than 20 years and have seen endless consultants who reommended this.

Also been recommended to keep them cool so you know they have actually gone in your eye as you can then feel them.

I personally dont like a heated mask, but I do use warm boiled water with a touch of Johnsons baby shampoo in it..not hot... to wipe along the lash line to remove "debris" and gently massage at the same time to unblock the oil glands to help lubricate my dry eyes.

Aveline Tue 23-Dec-25 17:46:42

I check the research for a heated, weighted mask and it was certainly found to be the best management for the problem as it affects me. The optician sold the mask but I checked online and he was selling the best type at the cheapest price £9.99. No complaints from me.

MayBee70 Tue 23-Dec-25 18:37:12

HelterSkelter1

The pressing your eye in the corner where the tear duct is should be for 2 minutes not seconds to prevent the liquid going into your nose and then internally. Trust me I have been using drops for glaucoma for more than 20 years and have seen endless consultants who reommended this.

Also been recommended to keep them cool so you know they have actually gone in your eye as you can then feel them.

I personally dont like a heated mask, but I do use warm boiled water with a touch of Johnsons baby shampoo in it..not hot... to wipe along the lash line to remove "debris" and gently massage at the same time to unblock the oil glands to help lubricate my dry eyes.

I’ve still got some baby shampoo that I bought when I had blepharitis a few years ago.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 23-Dec-25 18:51:33

Yes it has to be Johnsons as that's the only one I know which doesn't sting. It seems to work. There are more expensive eye washes, but the Boots optician recommended this 10 years or so ago. The bottle is big and you only need a drop in a small glass/cup.

Fidelity2 Thu 25-Dec-25 23:33:35

Have you ever tried using Gel Tears. My Optician prescribed them for me but you can buy them from a chemists.

nadateturbe Sat 27-Dec-25 13:45:45

I prefer mine cold, so that I know they've gone in.

teach Sat 27-Dec-25 13:46:09

HelterSkelter1

Yes it has to be Johnsons as that's the only one I know which doesn't sting. It seems to work. There are more expensive eye washes, but the Boots optician recommended this 10 years or so ago. The bottle is big and you only need a drop in a small glass/cup.

Tesco 'Fred and Flo Wish Wash Head to Toe Wash' is also non-sting and was about 89p for 500 ml last time I looked.

Gingster Sat 27-Dec-25 13:55:34

I have to keep my eyedrops for glaucoma in the fridge

DamaskRose Sat 27-Dec-25 13:55:43

Lots of helpful advice on here as it seems one size doesn’t fit all!

Lemonred Sat 27-Dec-25 13:56:47

Also, look in a mirror as you do it, and concentrate on the person in the mirror getting the drops in the right place, sounds obvious, but it really helped my Dad. Also certain eye drops need to be kept cool.

Chaitriona Sat 27-Dec-25 14:43:27

I have very dry eyes. I have found putting gel in overnight helps me.

Robin202 Sat 27-Dec-25 15:31:56

Also there is much benefit from organic castor oil for various things and a drop in your eyes at bedtime helps and some say it has cured cataracts. Im working on thet atm as was recently diagnosed with the beginning of one.

Aveline Sat 27-Dec-25 15:33:39

Curing cataracts!!??? One born every minute

Peaseblossom Sat 27-Dec-25 15:44:43

Schnackie2 That's funny, I have dry eyes and keep my eye drops in the fridge, because I find them lovely and refreshing then.

Peaseblossom Sat 27-Dec-25 15:49:35

I am using Viscotears, which are thicker than normal eyedrops. I was recommended by a friend who is a nurse. They are especially beneficial applied before bed, so you wake up without discomfort. I keep them in the fridge, not sure if you have to, but I prefer the cool refreshing feeling.

MayBee70 Sat 27-Dec-25 16:40:00

Carboner gel is the same as viscotears but is much cheaper.

MayBee70 Sat 27-Dec-25 16:40:16

…Carbomer…

Silvertwigs Sat 27-Dec-25 16:54:36

I keep mine in the fridge as I love the cool sensation of the liquid in my eyes!

knspol Sat 27-Dec-25 17:28:50

I was recently prescribed a weighted eye mask and some eye drops by the optician I was told to heat the mask and apply for 10 mins twice a day and to use the eye drops twice a day too. It does seem to help but only been using for about 10 days so far and was told it will take at least 2 weeks and will always come back, no cure. I must say I like the eye drops to be cold so that I actually can tell I've managed to get them in my eye.