Black eye drop bottle tips improve compliance

To determine if dark coloured tips on eye drop bottles facilitate ocular therapy.

Eye drop bottles were modified by placing sterile black tape around the bottle tip. Patients on regular timolol therapy were asked to use bottles with the modified tip for one month. They then completed a questionnaire comparing the black tips with the standard tips on the bottle they normally use.

Eighty-eight per cent of patients found the black tipped bottles easier to use than bottles with the standard tip. Sixty-eight per cent of patients had fewer occasions on which they needed to instil a second drop and 30% of patients touched their eyelid less when using the modified bottle tips.

Black coloured bottle tips aid ocular therapy. They are easier to use, result in less contact with the eye on instillation and patients note a reduction in need for a second or additional drop. This is likely to improve compliance and reduce contamination. A change in manufacturing practise should be encouraged.