Eye/Ear Instillation
EYE/EAR INSTILLATION
Description: Eye/ear instillation is done to combat infection. It is also done to relieve pain and discomfort. It may also be done to dilate or constrict the pupil, if eye instillation is done. Eye instillation is indicated for eye examination treatment of disease. However, it is contraindicated to those who have allergies to the medications used. An ear instillation, on the other hand, is a solution of topical medicine prepared for administration into the ear canal. Medicine instilled into the ear is absorbed through the skin for the ear canal and membranes of the eardrum. Ear instillations are used primarily to treat wax build-up and inflammations or infections of the ear.
Equipment/Materials Needed: a. Sterile solution of medication b. Small gauze squares or cotton balls
Procedure:
1. Check the patient’s name. 2. Check the physician’s directives. 3. Wash hands prior to instilling medication. 4. Cleanse the eyelids and lashes with cotton balls or gauze pledgets moistened with normal saline. 5. Use each cotton ball or pledget for only one stroke, moving from the inner to the outer cantus of the eye. 6. Tilt the patient’s head back slightly if he is sitting or place the head over a pillow if he is lying down. 7. Fill eye dropper with medication but prevent from flowing back into the bulb end. 8. Using forefinger, pull lower lid down gently. 9. Instruct patient to look upward. 10. Hold the dropper close to the eye but avoid touching the eyelids. 11. Avoid touching the eyeball with the dropper. 12. Allow the prescribed number of drops to fall in the lower conjunctival sac but do not allow to fall onto the cornea. 13. Release the lower lid after drops are instilled. Instruct the patient to close eye slowly, move the eye and not to squeeze or rub. 14. Wipe of excess solution with gauze or cotton balls. 15. Wash hands after instilling the medication.
Description: Eye/ear instillation is done to combat infection. It is also done to relieve pain and discomfort. It may also be done to dilate or constrict the pupil, if eye instillation is done. Eye instillation is indicated for eye examination treatment of disease. However, it is contraindicated to those who have allergies to the medications used. An ear instillation, on the other hand, is a solution of topical medicine prepared for administration into the ear canal. Medicine instilled into the ear is absorbed through the skin for the ear canal and membranes of the eardrum. Ear instillations are used primarily to treat wax build-up and inflammations or infections of the ear.
Equipment/Materials Needed: a. Sterile solution of medication b. Small gauze squares or cotton balls
Procedure:
1. Check the patient’s name. 2. Check the physician’s directives. 3. Wash hands prior to instilling medication. 4. Cleanse the eyelids and lashes with cotton balls or gauze pledgets moistened with normal saline. 5. Use each cotton ball or pledget for only one stroke, moving from the inner to the outer cantus of the eye. 6. Tilt the patient’s head back slightly if he is sitting or place the head over a pillow if he is lying down. 7. Fill eye dropper with medication but prevent from flowing back into the bulb end. 8. Using forefinger, pull lower lid down gently. 9. Instruct patient to look upward. 10. Hold the dropper close to the eye but avoid touching the eyelids. 11. Avoid touching the eyeball with the dropper. 12. Allow the prescribed number of drops to fall in the lower conjunctival sac but do not allow to fall onto the cornea. 13. Release the lower lid after drops are instilled. Instruct the patient to close eye slowly, move the eye and not to squeeze or rub. 14. Wipe of excess solution with gauze or cotton balls. 15. Wash hands after instilling the medication.