Here are some instructions to help you use eye ointment for your child.
If the health care provider also prescribed eye drops, give the eye drops before you give the ointment. Wait a few minutes before using the ointment.
Read the label before giving your child the ointment and be sure it is labeled for ophthalmic (eye) use.
Before using the ointment:
Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry with a clean towel.
If your child's eyes are crusty, clean them first with a wet, warm washcloth or cotton ball (using a separate one for each side) by wiping from the inside corner of the eye to the outer corner. If you have trouble removing the crust, leave the wet washcloth or cotton ball on the closed eye for about 30 seconds before wiping.
To use the ointment:
Have your child lie on their back.
If your child needs help staying still, have someone help you. If you are alone, these steps can help your child stay still:
Sit on the floor with your legs spread out.
Put your child's face up between your thighs with their legs pointing away from you.
Put your child's arms under your thighs.
For infants, it may help to gently swaddle your baby's arms and hands in a blanket while you apply the eye ointment. This will keep the baby from grabbing the ointment tube.
Remove the cap from the ointment tube.
If your child is old enough, ask them to look up.
To keep your hand steady, rest your wrist lightly on your child's face.
Hold the tube above the eye.
Do not let the tip of the tube touch your child's eye or eyelid, your hands, or anything else.
Gently pull down your child's lower eyelid.
Squeeze the tube to apply a thin line of ointment to the inside (pink part) of the lower eyelid. Start near the nose and move out toward the ear. Usually a ½-inch (1-centimeter) line of ointment is enough (unless your health care provider recommends otherwise).
Let go of your child's eyelid. Have your child close or blink the eyes for a few seconds. This spreads the ointment around the eye.
Your child should NOT squeeze the eye shut. This can push the ointment out of the eye.
Your child's vision may be blurry for a few minutes. Let your child know that this is normal and will get better as the ointment melts.
Wipe away any excess ointment from the eyelids and eyelashes with a clean tissue. Use a different tissue for each eye.
Put the cap on the tube.
Wash your hands again.
Safely store the medicine out of the reach of children.
You have trouble giving your child the ointment.
Your child:
develops a fever
has new or more swelling, or redness or tenderness in the eyelids or around the eye
has eye burning or itching after getting the ointment
doesn't get better after you have followed the health care provider's instructions
