Pharmacist Raj Patel, known as TikTok's Straight-Talking Pharmacist, has urged people across the UK to check their eye drops tonight to ensure they are still safe to use. He warned that some users may be keeping bottles open for longer than recommended, which could allow germs to get inside the bottle.
Why the opening date matters
Patel explained that while the expiry date on the bottle is important, the time since opening can impose a shorter limit on safe use. He advised people to write the opening date on the box or bottle and then check how long the drops can be used after opening, noting that it is not always 28 days.
He said: "You've found your eye drops, they're still in date - but when did you open them? That expiry date still matters but, once opened, there can be a shorter limit because germs can get inside the bottle."
"So here's what I'd do. Once you open the bottle, write the date that you opened it on the box or on the bottle, then open the box and check how long you can use it after opening. It's not always 28 days."
He added that different bottles and single-use droppers can have different instructions, and advised anyone unsure to ask their pharmacist to check. He also urged people not to stop prescribed treatment and to ask for help getting a replacement.
NHS guidance on eye drop use
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust says eye drops work in different ways depending on what they are needed for, so it is important to speak to a clinician, nurse or pharmacist to understand why, how and when to use them.
The trust also notes that administering eye drops can be tricky, with patients reporting shaking hands, drops running down their face and into their mouth, and an unpleasant taste. It advises positioning the bottle accurately over the eye at a safe distance and angle so the whole drop falls into the eye, which also helps avoid damaging the eye surface or contaminating the nozzle.
Tips for safe eye drop use
Moorfields advises washing hands and shaking the bottle before use, never sharing eye drops, and storing them as instructed, either at room temperature away from radiators or in the fridge. Drops should only be used within the expiry date on the bottle and within the once-opened expiry, usually 28 days but variable, and writing the opening date on the label is recommended.
Further tips include ordering supplies from a GP before the bottle finishes, using drops at the same time each day, administering only the number of drops advised, and leaving a five-minute gap between different drops in the same eye. If using an eye ointment, drops should be used first with a five-minute gap before the ointment. Patients should check with a clinician about contact lens use and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if they have difficulty opening the container or squeezing a drop.
The NHS also urges people to read the label before use, store drops in a cool, dark place, recap the bottle immediately after use, and keep it upright. It advises throwing away eye drops after the treatment is finished, and if treatment lasts longer than four weeks, a fresh bottle should be obtained every 28 days.
