Competency: 13

Details

Administer appropriate and approved eye drops where required, according to applicable protocols

Considerations

• The importance of confirming the prescription for the substance to be instilled, including strength, timing and frequency, and the implications of not doing so
• Correct positioning of the patient for administration of eye drops
• The importance of confirming that medication to be instilled has not exceeded its expiry date and the implications of failure to do so
• Possible precautions that need to be taken or contraindications to instillation of medication
• Action to be taken where precautions or contradictions have been identified
• The purpose, effects and duration of the medication
• Correct and safe method for instillation of the correct medication in the correct strength and at the prescribed frequency to the correct eye
• Recording requirements for instillation in accordance with relevant protocol or procedure, including signature, time and date of administration
• The range of drugs used in ophthalmic practice, their indication and mode of action, adverse effects and contraindications to their use
• Ocular adverse effects of drugs used to treat non-ophthalmic disease

Relevant learning outcomes