Question

Jackie, a new glaucoma patient, picks up netarsudil for the first time. She says she's never used eye drops and isn't sure how to keep the medicine from running down her cheek. Which of the following is the BEST counseling point to reinforce?
A. Close your eyes and gently press the inner corner for 1-2 minutes after using the drop
B. Use 2 drops in each eye, so more medicine is appropriately absorbed
C. Place the dropper directly up against the eye when administering
D. Tilt your head forward so the drop stays in the front of the eye instead of running down

Answer 1

Answer: A

Rationale: Have the patient perform punctal occlusion — close the eyes and gently press on the inner corner (medial canthus) over the nasolacrimal duct for about 1–2 minutes after instilling the drop. This reduces drainage into the nasopharynx and systemic absorption and helps keep the medication on the eye.

Why the others are wrong:
- B: Do not use 2 drops — one drop is sufficient; extra drops waste medication and increase systemic absorption.
- C: Never touch the dropper tip to the eye — that risks contamination and infection.
- D: You should tilt the head back and look up for placement; tilting forward does not prevent drainage and can cause runoff.