Which instruction is correct for instilling eye drops?

• A. For eye drops, hold the dropper about 1/2 inch away from the eye and administer into the conjunctival sac
• B. For eye drops, inject directly onto the cornea
• C. For ointment, apply without touching the eye
• D. For eye drops, hold the dropper at arm's length and drip from above

Answer: (A)

Delivering eye drops correctly means placing the medication into the conjunctival sac, not directly on the cornea, and keeping the dropper clean.

Hold the dropper about 1/2 inch from the eye and gently pull the lower lid down to expose the conjunctival sac. Gently squeeze one drop into that pocket, then release the lid. Have the patient close the eye softly for a moment; you can lightly press the inner corner of the eye for 1–2 minutes to reduce drainage through the tear duct. If a second drop or another medication is needed, wait a few minutes before administering the next one.

This approach avoids touching the eye with the dropper and targets the conjunctival sac, which is the proper site for eye drops. Dripping directly onto the cornea is not appropriate, and ointment should be applied along the lower eyelid/conjunctival area rather than directly onto the eyeball.