Eye dropping must be done very carefully. The drops must really land properly in the eye or the medication will not do its job properly. Dropping eyes seems simple, for hay fever, dry eyes or on doctor's orders, but often it is not done correctly. For both (older) persons and also for nursing staff, an eye drop aid is therefore very valuable. For choosing the best eye drop aid, the following 5 aspects are most important:
- Comfort (does it feel comfortable for the user)
- Safety (can there be eye damage)
- Can the head be brought back properly
- Hygiene; as little eye contact as possible
- Does the drop really fall well into the eye (can the eyelid open properly and are you sure the drop falls well into the eye)?
Comfort
The Opticare, AutoDrop, Remedic and Maximex are made of hard plastic. It does not feel comfortable on the delicate skin around the eye. In addition, all these eye drop devices have one size while the space around the eye is different in every every person. This does not enhance comfort.
The DroppelBril wears like ordinary comfortable (reading) glasses and with these, (older) people are mostly familiar. In addition, all preparation (placing the dropper bottle in the appropriate hole) can take place before the DroppelBril is put on. Once the DroppelBril is put on, the head can be tilted back and the user or caregiver keeps both hands free.
Safety
It is important that both the eye drop device and also the opening of the eye drop bottle do not touch the eye. The Opticare, AutoDrop, Remedic and Maximex are round and the chance that the eye will be touched is not very high, but does exist, especially in careless use or in people with Parkinson's or tremors. Also, Minims cannot be used in these 4 devices, the Minims are too small to stay attached.
The Drop Glasses are worn like regular glasses and there is always ample distance between the Drop Glasses and the eyes. All common eye drop bottles and Minims can be used in the DroppelBril, however, be careful with Minims pipettes with a very long neck, these cannot be used in the DroppelBril as they might hit the eye.
Bringing the head well back
When using all five eyedrops aids, the head can be bent well backwards. However, with the Opticare, AutoDrop, Remedic and Maximex, it is necessary to continue holding them with one hand, otherwise the device will fall off the head.
You don't have to hold the DropBril when bending backwards and bending back again (after dripping) the head, the bottle (from small to large) or the minims stay fixed in the DropBril just fine.
Hygiene (no contamination in the eye)
The smaller the chance of contamination that can get into the eye the better. When using the Opticare, AutoDrop, Remedic and Maximex, contamination that may be on the edge of the device can get around and into the eye because there is direct contact between the lower edge of the device and the skin directly around the eye.
The DroppelBril only makes contact with the nose and ears, and therefore there is much less chance of dirt entering the eye through the DroppelBril.
Does the drop fall really well into the eye?
The most important aspect; does the eye drop fall properly into the eye. When using the AutoDrop, Remedic and Maximex, it is difficult to open the eyelid, no space is provided for this. With the Opticare, a space is provided for this. Please note; because when using the Opticare, the space around the eye is largely closed off and when using the AutoDrop, the Remedic and the Maximex, the nurse cannot see if the drop has actually fallen into the eye properly.
The DroppelBril also does not press the eyelid open, however, there is plenty of room for the person themselves or the nurse to hold the eyelid wide open and then drip. Also, when using the DroppelBril, the nurse can see very well if the drop is falling into the eye, this is extremely important.
The DroppelBril is the most sold tool for eye dropping in Pharmacies. All common eye drop bottles and also minims fit into the DroppelBril. Simply insert the bottle or minim into the appropriate hole in the DruppelBril glass. The PZN number of the DroppelBril for Germany is 18849204. The Drop Glasses are the only eyedrop device with certification as a Class I drug product and may be used independently by nurses as well as individuals.