Knowledge and practice of eye drops instillation technique in India: A survey of 396 optometrists

Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the knowledge about perfect eye drops instillation technique among optometrists in India. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. A self-administered, electronic questionnaire with a cover letter explaining the aim of the study was distributed among optometrists practicing in India. Demographic characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 396 respondents, 237 (59.84%) were females and 159 (40.16%) were males with a mean age of 24.5 ± 2.81 years. Two-fifths of the optometrists opted for washing hands before eye drop instillation. Similarly, almost nine-tenths of the participants preferred to instill eye drops asking patients to sit and about one-tenth of the optometrist preferred patients in supine position during administering drops. Most common errors during drop instillation among optometrists were drop instillation without nasolacrimal occlusion (19.95%) and hand hygiene (69.94%). Conclusion: Proper education and awareness about eye drop instillation process should be given to all eye care practitioners so that non-compliance and incorrect methods of drop instillation can either be minimized or nullified from patients’ end.