Eye drops for older adults: what to check

Before an older adult starts any over-the-counter eye drop, check four things: that they can read the whole label, that they can get a drop in without the tip touching the eye, that the drop doesn’t conflict with anything else they use, and that they know the signs that mean stop. For Quell, also check the egg and bird caution. A pharmacist can review all of it in one visit.

Reading the label when the print is tiny

Drug Facts panels on small cartons use small type, and a .33 fl oz (10 mL) eye drop box has little room. Reading glasses and a good lamp help, but it’s easier on a screen. Our Drug Facts page shows Quell’s whole panel in larger type, and any phone or computer can zoom in further. Read it once all the way through, out loud if that helps, instead of skimming the front of the box.

• Uses: For use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye.
• Directions: Apply 1 drop 3 times per day in each eye.
• Warnings: Caution should be used in those with egg or bird allergies — For use in the eyes only.
• Do not use: If this product changes color.
• Storage: Store between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).

Steady hands and the tip rule

Getting a single drop into an eye takes some aim, and shaky hands or stiff fingers make it harder. The label sets one firm rule: Do not touch tip of bottle to any surface to avoid contamination. That includes the eye and lashes. A few practical setups make it easier to follow:

• Sit down, or lie back on a bed, instead of standing at the bathroom sink.
• Tilt your head back and look up at a fixed spot on the ceiling.
• Rest the hand holding the bottle on your forehead or the bridge of your nose to steady it.
• Use the other hand to pull the lower lid down gently and make a small pocket.
• Squeeze gently; one drop is the dose. If it misses, wipe your cheek and try once more.
• If it’s still hard, ask a family member or caregiver to help, washing their hands first.

If arthritis or a tremor makes squeezing the bottle hard most days, mention it to a pharmacist. They see the problem often and may know of aids that grip the bottle. How to use eye drops as directed walks through the steps in more detail.

Keeping track: a simple log

A three-times-a-day schedule is easy to lose track of, especially for someone who also takes pills on their own schedule. A paper log on the bathroom counter or a recurring phone alarm keeps it straight. Write down each time, which eye, and anything you noticed. Over a week or two, that record also gives a doctor or pharmacist something concrete to look at. Keeping an eye drop log has a format that works.

Other eye drops and medicines

Many older adults already use prescription drops, and some use more than one. Quell’s label doesn’t give directions for using it with other eye drops, so don’t guess at timing or order. Ask the eye doctor who prescribed the other drops, or a pharmacist, whether adding Quell makes sense and how to space them. Bring every bottle you use, including the ones in the bedroom drawer, to that conversation.

It also helps to tell the bottles apart at a glance. Eye drop bottles look alike, and grabbing the wrong one is an easy mistake. A strip of colored tape or a large marker label on each carton (“Quell, 3 times a day”) cuts down the confusion. Quell’s solution is milky brown, which also sets it apart from clear drops. In the site’s own words: The eye drops have a naturally milky-brown appearance. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the product.

The egg and bird caution

Quell’s formula includes emu oil, and its label says: Caution should be used in those with egg or bird allergies — For use in the eyes only. Older adults sometimes have allergies they learned about decades ago and have half forgotten, or a family member may know of one they don’t mention. Ask directly before the first bottle is opened. Egg or bird allergy and Quell covers the caution in full.

Knowing when to stop

The label is clear about the signs: Stop use and ask a doctor if you feel eye pain or changes in your vision, if irritation or redness continues, or if the condition worsens or persists for 72 hours. Some changes in vision come on slowly and are easy to put down to age. If someone using drops notices their eyesight seems worse, or an eye hurts, that’s a reason to call their eye doctor, not to keep using the drop and wait. Regular eye exams matter more with age, and a drop is no replacement for them.

Storage in a warm house or a care setting

Many older adults keep their homes warm in winter, and bottles left near a radiator, a heating vent or a sunny windowsill can get hotter than the label allows. A drawer in a room at ordinary temperature is the right place. In assisted living, ask staff how resident medicines are stored so the drop stays within range and easy to find. The label also asks that it be kept out of reach of children, which matters when grandchildren visit; its wording on swallowing is: If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Ordering for a parent

Many families buy drops for an older relative. You can order Quell as a guest and ship it straight to their address; you’ll need to be 18 or over. Before doing that, run through this checklist with them, ideally with their pharmacist. Giving eye drops to a parent or grandparent covers the gift side, and ordering eye drops for someone else covers the address and checkout details.