Eye drop facts for kids

An eye drop is a special kind of medicine that you put directly into your eye. It comes in a small bottle and is used for many different reasons. Eye drops can help your eyes feel better if they are dry, itchy, or red. They can also be used to treat eye infections or help your eyes heal after an injury. Think of them as tiny liquid helpers for your eyes!

What Are Eye Drops Used For?

Eye drops are super helpful for keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable. They can be used for many common eye problems.

Helping Dry or Red Eyes

Sometimes your eyes can feel dry, scratchy, or look red. This might happen if you've been staring at a computer screen for a long time, or if there's a lot of dust or pollen in the air. Some eye drops, called "lubricating eye drops" or "artificial tears," can add moisture back to your eyes. This makes them feel much better and less irritated.

Treating Eye Infections

If you get an infection in your eye, like conjunctivitis (often called "pink eye"), a doctor might prescribe antibiotic eye drops. These drops contain special medicines that fight off the germs causing the infection. It's really important to use these drops exactly as your doctor tells you, even if your eye starts to feel better quickly. This helps make sure the infection is completely gone.

Reducing Allergies and Itchiness

For people with allergies, their eyes can become very itchy, watery, and red when pollen or other allergens are around. There are special eye drops designed to calm down these allergic reactions. They can stop the itchiness and make your eyes feel less irritated.

Other Uses

Eye drops can also be used for more serious conditions, like reducing pressure inside the eye for glaucoma, or helping your eyes recover after an eye surgery. Always make sure you know why you are using a specific type of eye drop.

How to Use Eye Drops Safely

Using eye drops correctly is important to make sure they work well and don't cause any problems.

Getting Ready

First, always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your eyes or the eye drop bottle. This helps prevent new germs from getting into your eye. Check the bottle to make sure it's the right medicine and hasn't expired.

Applying the Drops

Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the bottle above your eye, but don't let the tip touch your eye or eyelashes. Squeeze the bottle gently to let one drop fall into the pocket. Close your eye slowly for a minute or two. This helps the medicine spread and soak in. If you need more than one drop, wait a few minutes between drops.

Important Tips

• Don't Share: Never share your eye drops with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms. This can spread germs.
• Cleanliness: Always keep the tip of the eye drop bottle clean. Don't let it touch anything.
• Storage: Store eye drops as directed on the label. Some need to be kept in the fridge.
• For Kids: Eye drops are generally safe for children. However, using them for too long or too often can sometimes make eyes turn red or cause discomfort. Always follow a doctor's advice when using eye drops for children. Some eye drops are made specifically for kids.

Images for kids

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  These eye drops are packaged for single use, without preservatives

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  Man applying eye drops

See also

In Spanish: Colirio para niños