Procedure for cleaning the eye:
The operated eye needs to be cleaned at least twice a day.
The attendant performing this task should wash the hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.
You may use the disposable tissue supplied at the hospital for this purpose. Alternately you may place cotton in a clean vessel cover it with a lid for 10 minutes, let it cool down, take the cotton out, squeeze the excess water and use the same to clean.
Cleaning the lower lid is done by asking the patient to look up and wiping all the secretions sticking to the lower lid margin.
Cleaning the upper lid is done by asking the patient to look down and doing similar procedure.
Similarly the outer and inner corners of the eye are cleaned.
Once the margins and corners are cleaned, the eye drops can be instilled and then the surrounding areas can also be cleaned.

Instillation of the eye drops:
The attendant should wash his/ her hands with soap and water.
The cap of the eyedrop bottle is opened carefully without contaminating the tip of the nozzle.
Pull the lower lid and place the drop between the eyeball and the lid by squeezing the bottle or cap as the case may be.
Wipe away excess medicine that may trickle out, after asking the patient to gently close the eye.
The eyes should be kept closed for a period of 5 minutes after the drop is instilled.

General instructions for instilling medicines in the eye:
Always instill drops before applying the ointment.
Leave a gap of 5 minutes between two medications.
Keep the eye closed for 5 minutes after applying the medication.
Once opened, the eye drops should be discarded after 10 days.
Replace the cap of the bottle immediately after use.
Make sure that the right drops are being used for the right number of times.
If similar medication is advised for both eyes, it is advisable to have separate bottles for the two eyes.
Unused eye medication, once opened is discarded and never used for other person.