What hygiene practice should be followed before and after administering eye drops?

Washing your hands before and after administering eye drops is crucial in maintaining hygiene and preventing infection. The act of hand washing removes dirt, bacteria, and other pathogens that could potentially contaminate the eye drops or irritate the eye. This practice is essential in health care settings to ensure that any microorganisms present on the caregiver's hands do not transfer to the patient or the medication.

Additionally, cleansing the hands after administering the drops helps to prevent the spread of any contaminants that may have been on the patient's eye or the dropper. This two-step process enhances safety and is a fundamental principle of infection control in medication administration.

Hand sanitizer, while effective in certain situations, may not eliminate all types of pathogens, particularly if hands are visibly soiled, making thorough washing with soap and water the preferred method. Wearing gloves at all times is not necessary for this procedure in most settings, as proper hand hygiene is generally sufficient. Rinsing the eyes with saline solution is not a standard practice associated with administering eye drops; instead, it may be used in specific clinical situations where rinsing is warranted.