Posted , 6 users are following.
My question is directed to those who have used topical antibiotic and steroid drops after cataract surgery. Was the schedule for these drops complicated and lengthy? Was it difficult to use the drops correctly?
Many thanks!
0 likes, 22 replies
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Bookwoman judith93585
Edited
It was indeed complicated and lengthy, so I made a chart to keep everything straight and checked off the drops as I took them.
judith93585 Bookwoman
Posted
That's a good idea! Did you find an example of such a chart online by any chance?
Did you alternate the drops and leave an hour (for example) between each drop?
Bookwoman judith93585
Posted
I just made my own chart in a Word document. As for the timing between drops, I don't remember, as it was almost 4 years ago. But the doctor will presumably tell you about the timing.
I had three kinds of drops to start: an antibiotic, a steroid, and an NSAID. So I definitely needed a chart!
trilemma judith93585
Edited
Not complicated. 4X for a while, which would translate to about every 6 hours. The period that includes attempted sleep is longer than that, so that means you skew the schedule to work around bed time.
Then 2 x per day for some more weeks, which is easier.
judith93585 trilemma
Posted
I was expecting weeks of drops as you experienced but learned today that the antibiotic will be 4 x a day for only 7 days.
jo61855 judith93585
Edited
The doctor should give you an information handout about the drops and a daily check off schedule to keep track of them. The office will probably have some bottles on hand to show you what they are like. I estimate my success rate was 50% of drops getting into the eye and not running down my face.
Lynda111 jo61855
Edited
I agree with you jo6. I had to lay down flat o. my bed to do it and still missed about half the time. My cataract surgeon said as long as the drops get into . the eyelashes they will work their way into the eyes. Be advised the. eye drops. and the schedule will vary from surgeon to surgeon.
judith93585 Lynda111
Posted
Thanks Linda111!
judith93585 jo61855
Edited
Thank you jo61855!
To clarify, I requested to use topical for both antibiotic and steroid. Since my surgeon uses dropless for the antibiotic but topical for the steroid, I hope there will be a schedule to keep track of at least the steroid, but nothing like that has been mentioned to date. I did find an app for keeping track of the drops but I'd rather use the old fashioned paper and pencil for this purpose!
I assume if you miss, you just try again until the drop hits your eye. I've been told it counts as good no matter where in the eye the drop lands. That said, I'd like to try Bookwoman's technique using Systane for practice.
trilemma Lynda111
Edited
My technique for drops is to lie back. Look up at the drop forming, which will be very blurry. But still, look up at that blur. Squeeze slowly enough that you don't know just when the drop will drop. If there is the right light, you can see the drop shimmer. Your reaction time will not be fast enough to blink before the drop lands.
I shut my eye, and rolled my eyes around a bit.
There is more than one right way.
Optionally, you can gently press the lower lid near the inside corner of the eye, and that will block the tear duct from draining off liquid. That is not important, and eye will have already gotten enough contact with the solution. It is something that you could do to maximize the contact time.
Depending on the drop, you may taste the drop after it passes thru the tear duct. In my case, it was not a strong or bad or pleasant taste. It was subtle.
Lynda111 trilemma
Edited
Yes, good advice.
Bookwoman judith93585
Edited
I simply made a pouch with my lower eyelid, but did not look up the way it's usually recommended. Instead I looked straight ahead into the mirror so I could see what I was doing, put the drops in, then closed my eyes for about 30 seconds. I never missed.
judith93585 Bookwoman
Posted
I've copied your technique to a file to access once the drops are to start. Will buy some drops in a similar bottle and start practicing...
judith93585
Posted
Thank you Bookwoman! Very clear instructions!
trilemma judith93585
Edited
For actually inserting the drops, I hold the bottle output above my eye, with the eye trying to focus a bit on the out-of-focus drive. I sometimes detect a shimmering as the drop is dangling a bit. Squeeze slowly, so you don't know when the drop will fall. If you squeeze fast, you will blink expecting the drop. If you don't know when the drop will release, you cannot react quickly enough to block the drop.