How to apply eye ointment or eye gel?

Yesterday I went to The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital for eye examination and being diagnosed as having eye inflammatory condition + dry eyes. After paying RM129, I went home with three types of eye medicine.

Allergan Prednisolone Mild 0.12% eye drop to treat the inflammation, 1 drop 4 times a day for 2 weeks. Alcon Tears Naturale preservative free, 1 drop 6-8 times a day for a month. Alcon Duratears Naturale for dry eye, to be used every night.

I don't know how compliant can I be... Apply so many different drops per day, and so frequent~ Actually I don't have any problem until I started using the eye ointment last night. Have counseled countless number of patients the ways to use eye ointment, but when I try to administer it into my own eye last night, I found some difficulties too! First, I've shaky hands! Friends who know me well sure know that I've shaky hands, not because I'm nervous or having hyperthyroidism, just born like that~ Second, I really dislike the blurry and cloudy vision after using the ointment.

How To Administer An Ophthalmic Ointment

1. Wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water.

2. Gently cleanse the affected eyelid with warm water and a soft cloth before applying the ointment.

3. In front of a mirror, with the affected eye looking upward, gently pull the lower eyelid downward with your index finger to form a pouch.

4. Squeeze a thin line (approximately 1cm) of the ointment along the pouch.
IMPORTANT: Be very careful when applying this ointment. DO NOT allow the tip of the ointment tube to touch the eyelid, the eyeball, your finger, or any surface.

5. Close the eye gently and rotate the eyeball to distribute the ointment. You may blink several times to evenly spread the ointment.

6. Replace the cap on the ointment tube.

After you apply the ointment, your vision may be blurred temporarily. Do not be alarmed. This will clear up in a short while, but do not drive a car or operate machinery until your vision has cleared.

Comments

* This is a sterile ointment. Contamination of the tip or the cap of the tube can lead to a serious eye infection.
* If irritation persists or increases, discontinue use immediately.
* Generally, eye makeup should be avoided while using eye ointments.

Information adapted and obtained from The Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory

The Pharmacists' Workshop on Ophthalmology- The Saujana, Kuala Lumpur

Last Sunday I attended this free Pharmacists' Workshop on Ophthalmology organized by CMPMedica & sponsored by Allergan. It was held at Saujana Hotel, on the way to Subang Airport. The workshop is very good since it caters for pharmacists only and cover a few topics such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, floaters, age-related macular degeneration, red eye, dry eyes etc. The speakers are eye specialists, ophthalmologist, chief pharmacist from International Specialist Eye Centre. I enjoyed this workshop because we just have to sit down and listen, no need to do anything and just to gain knowledge. Btw, the food provided is good, although the smoked salmon fish was too salty for my liking.

Sometimes I find myself very outdated after working for few years in the same kind of environment, especially being stuck at my current kk. I really do not understand why some people can work for 20-30 years at such an old kk without getting bored of it. Before I get my transfer or resign, I'll attend more of these workshops so I can meet new people, gain some up-to-date knowledge and improve myself. I don't want to become a pharmacist who only know how to dispense cough & cold mixtures. Luckily my kk still have a full range of list A medicines with the well-known FMS around, and I'm staying at Klang Valley area. My next plan is to start my locum asap, although I know it'll be challenging. Have to learn to deal with Caucasians, haha.

Goodies