Using Different Eye Drops? Why Spacing May Matter

You put in your first eye drop.

Then bottle number two is already hovering above your eye, ready for immediate deployment.

Efficient? Maybe.

Best technique? Not necessarily.

If you use more than one type of eye drop in the same eye, spacing between eye drops can matter. Putting the second one in too quickly may wash some of the first drop away before it has had enough time to remain on the surface of the eye.

Eye drops may come in tiny bottles, but apparently they still appreciate a little personal space.

Why Wait Between Different Eye Drops?

The eye can only comfortably hold a small amount of liquid at one time.

When another eye drop is added immediately after the first, some of that first medication may overflow or be washed away.

According to Moorfields Eye Hospital’s eye-drop guidance, when more than one type of eye drop is being used in the same eye, you should leave at least five minutes between drops to allow the first drop time to be absorbed.

So if two different drops are scheduled for the same time, think:

Drop one → wait at least five minutes → drop two.

Unless, of course, the instructions for your particular medicines or your healthcare professional tell you differently.

A Simple Eye-Drop Routine

When you have more than one eye drop to use, a little organization can prevent bottle confusion.

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Check that you have the correct bottle and correct eye.
3. Tilt your head back and gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a small pocket.
4. Hold the bottle above the eye without allowing the tip to touch your eye, eyelid, eyelashes or fingers.
5. Instill the prescribed number of drops.
6. Close your eye gently rather than squeezing it tightly.
7. Wait at least five minutes before using the next eye drop, unless your specific instructions say otherwise.
8. Repeat with the second product.

MedlinePlus’ instructions for using eye drops also recommend waiting at least five minutes before putting another drop into the same eye.

A five-minute phone timer can be surprisingly useful here. Otherwise, “I’ll remember” has a mysterious habit of becoming either 45 seconds or 25 minutes.

Don’t Add Extra Drops While You Wait

Waiting between different eye drops does not mean using extra drops to make sure enough medicine gets into the eye.

If your directions say one drop, use one drop unless you have specifically been told otherwise.

Your eye has limited space for liquid, so extra drops may simply overflow onto your cheek rather than provide extra benefit.

For more on this, read One Eye Drop Is Usually Enough: Why More Is Not Better.

Think quality placement, not quantity. Your eyeball is not collecting bonus points.

What If You Also Use Eye Ointment?

This is another situation where order can matter.

Moorfields advises that when eye drops and an eye ointment are being used at the same time, the eye drops should generally be used first, followed by a five-minute gap before applying the ointment.

However, different medicines and treatment plans can have specific instructions.

Check the pharmacy label and patient information leaflet, and ask your pharmacist, prescriber or eye-care professional if you are unsure which product should be used first.

Don’t create your own order based on whichever bottle happens to be closest.

Keep the Bottle Tip Clean Too

Spacing is important, but good eye-drop technique does not stop there.

Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye, eyelashes, fingers or other surfaces. This helps reduce the risk of contaminating the product.

Keep the bottle properly capped when you are not using it, and never share prescription eye drops with another person.

Eye-drop bottles do not need a social life.

Too Many Drops to Keep Straight?

If you use several eye medications at different times of day, the routine can become confusing quickly.

One drop in the morning. Another twice daily. Five-minute gaps. Right eye. Left eye.

Suddenly your bathroom counter looks like it needs its own scheduling department.

Consider using phone alarms or a written medication schedule. If you are unsure how your drops should be timed, ask your pharmacist or eye-care professional to help you organize them.

Do not change the prescribed frequency just to make the schedule easier.

The NatalieRx Takeaway

Using more than one type of eye drop in the same eye?

Remember:

DROP. WAIT. DROP.

Leaving at least five minutes between different eye drops can help prevent the second drop from washing away the first.

Follow the directions for your particular products, and if the timing or order is unclear, ask before guessing.

For more practical medication-safety information, explore the NatalieRx Blog.

Small medication habits can make a big difference—and sometimes the most useful thing you can do is simply give that second bottle five minutes to mind its business.

Disclaimer

This article is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Eye-drop directions, timing and order can vary depending on the medicine, condition and individual treatment plan. Always follow the product label and instructions from your pharmacist, prescriber or eye-care professional. Seek prompt medical attention for sudden changes in vision, significant eye pain, eye injury or severe or rapidly worsening eye symptoms.