Always follow your doctor's instructions, or the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Dosage
The usual dose of dexamethasone eye drops is 1 eye drop in one or both eyes, 4 to 6 times a day. You'll usually do this every 4 hours.
If your eye inflammation is severe, your doctor may recommend putting 1 drop in the affected eye every 30 to 60 minutes until the redness and soreness improves.
How to use eye drops
- Wash your hands.
- If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using your eye drops. It may make your vision blurred if you use them with contact lenses.
- Shake the bottle well before use and remove the lid. If you're using a single-use dropper, twist off the tip.
- Make sure the dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin.
- Tilt your head back to look at the ceiling.
- Use your finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid.
- Hold the dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 drop to fall into your eye.
- Blink a few times to wash it across your eye.
- Close your eye and gently press your finger against the corner of your eye for about 30 seconds.
- Repeat for your other eye, if treating both eyes.
- Wait 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in.
How long to use eye drops
You'll usually only need to use dexamethasone eye drops for a few days. If you're using them after having eye surgery (to remove cataracts, for example), you may need to use them for a few weeks or more.
Once your symptoms are better, your doctor may tell you to reduce your dose slowly before stopping completely. This helps to prevent symptoms coming back.
Sometimes, however, your doctor may ask you to have check-ups if you've been using eye drops for a few weeks. This is to make sure your medicine is working properly and the dose is right for you. Your doctor will check your eyes for:
- an increase in pressure
- any signs of infection
Talk to your doctor if you have stopped using dexamethasone eye drops and your symptoms have come back, or if you want to stop using them.
If you forget to use them
If you miss your dose of eye drops, use them as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and use it again at the usual time.
Never use more eye drops to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember your medicines.
If you use too much
Using too much dexamethasone eye drops is unlikely to harm you. If you use too much and your eye feels sore, however, rinse your eye with sterile water.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you're worried.