OBJECTIVE: Evaluate how difficult it is to apply ocular topical medications with and without an eye dropper facial applicator based on patient observation and answers to a questionnaire. METHODS: The study was a controlled and randomized clinical trial performed in 50 patients during the years of 2009 and 2010 in PSF - Lapa. Eye drops were applied with and without aid of an eye dropper facial applicator. Each individual tested applied randomly on one of their eyes an eye drop with or without the applicator. The patients had to answer questions about the practice concerning both forms of topical eye drug application. RESULTS: 12% informed that it was difficult or very difficult to instill eye drops and 22% to instill eye drops helped by an eye dropper facial applicator (0,0024). Problems described by patients were considered by 22% for eye drops with the applicator and by 46% for topical eye drop instillation without it. 34% of the patients needed more than one eye drop application to have eye drop contact , while 54% of the patients needed more than one application with the eye drop facial applicator in order to get drug eye contact (p= 0,04). In 56% of patients there were an eyedropper tip contact with ocular tissues, however there was only 2% of contact when the eye drop was instilled aided by the applicator (p=0,0001). CONCLUSION: It is easier to instill an eye drop with the help of an eye dropper applicator than without it. This dispositive also reduces the eyedropper tip contact with the ocular tissues.
Administration; topical; Ophthalmic solutions; Lubricants; Eye
