Pharmacology CMS Practice Test

The key idea is delivering the ointment so it coats the surface of the eye and stays in place long enough to work. Place a thin ribbon of ointment along the edge of the lower eyelid, entering the conjunctival sac from the inner canthus toward the outer canthus. This position lets the medication spread across the ocular surface as the eye blinks and helps retain the drug longer than if it were placed elsewhere. Avoid applying a thick strip on the upper eyelid margin or directly on the cornea. A thick layer on the upper lid can blur vision and doesn’t distribute well across the eye, and putting ointment directly on the cornea risks irritation or damage. And ointment is delivered as a ribbon into the conjunctival sac, not as drops. After application, keep the eye closed gently to help distribute the medication.