AUTODROP EYEDROPPER AID

Product Information

As with smoke and heat alarms, carbon monoxide alarms are readily available on the high street. The ones we list have non-standard features such as integration with strobe or vibration systems for individuals who are deaf or have hearing loss. Prompting devices are available that play a short pre-recorded message when they sense movement. For example, you could place one near your front door, so that when you approached the door it would automatically remind you: 'Put your safety chain on before you open your door to a caller' or 'Don't forget to take your keys when you go out'. Thus these devices can provide a useful prompt if you are experiencing difficulty with your memory. However, the maximum message length is quite short; 10-20 seconds on most models. Sits perfectly over the eye. Delivers eye drop in the exact place first time improving patient compliance.

Dr. Cress says he’s observed a difference in outcomes when glaucoma patients switch to his device, although he doesn’t have concrete data to prove it. “I’ve had patients who seemed to be failing at drop therapy, but after using this device, their intraocular pressure stabilizes and their visual field loss ceases,” he says. “To me, this indicates that they weren’t effectively instilling drops before, but with the dropper they are. Additionally, patients using the dropper rarely run out before a refill is due.” Having an organised approach to everyday tasks can help to solve some difficulties of forgetfulness and can reduce energy expenditure so that tasks become more manageable.

Some people have difficulty remembering the day of the week and the time of day, i.e. seven in the morning or seven in the evening, especially in the summer months when there are more daylight hours. Also, confusion can arise in the winter months when the evenings draw in early – it can be dark at 5pm, but it is not bedtime. The action of these drops is to reduce the production of fluid in the eye. They are used once in the morning or twice a day, as advised by your ophthalmologist. They are not usually prescribed for anyone susceptible to chest or breathing problems. Possible side effects include a slow pulse, dizziness and tiredness. In some people, these drops may cause depression, loss of libido or impotence. However, most people have no problems with them. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (brinzolamide and dorzolamide) Tablets can be transferred into a pill or dosette box, a compartmentalised box marked with dosage times. Boxes have a flip lid or a sliding lid that should be easier to open than a pill bottle. The empty compartment provides a reminder that the dose has been taken. Faced with a dismal rate of accurate drop use among patients, most doctors focus on trying to teach patients better eye drop application technique or try to get someone else to help the patient instill the drops. However, there are some clever, readily available low-tech eye drop application devices that may do a lot to help your patients succeed in getting their drops onto their eyes. These devices fall primarily into three categories: those that attempt to position the bottle over the eye in a consistent manner while holding the eyelids open; those that use surface tension to deliver a drop onto the eye via an intermediary device; and one or two that offer unique approaches to getting the drops onto the eye. Here, we’ll provide a review of some of the products in each category.

A key safe is a secure metal box that stores a key, and is designed to be mounted outside by the front door. The safe is opened by a numeric code that must be punched in. A single copy of your key/s are placed inside but can only be retrieved by someone who knows the correct code to open the box. It is up to you who you give the code to and you can change the code as often as you like. Choosing a code made up of familiar numbers, such as a birth date can help someone with memory difficulties to remember it. A key safe provides a useful way of giving access to the home to regular callers, such as carers and relatives, and also provides a ‘spare’ should the homeowner leave the house without the key. If your keysafe is provided by your local council, they will often arrange for its fitting. If you buy your own and you do not know someone who could fit it for you, you may find that your local AgeUK have a handyman service which can help for a small fee.The boxes come in a range of complexity. Some just provide for a single day’s medication, others take a full week’s supply of tablets with days of the week clearly labelled. Some allow for multiple doses each day throughout a week.

There are various kinds of pressure-lowering eye drops used in the treatment of glaucoma. All the drugs used in them have standard pharmaceutical names, which are not trade names. If your drops are only labelled with the names of the drug or drugs they contain, they are said to be ‘generic’. However, many drops are better known by their trade name, chosen by the company that developed the drug and have the patent. There are certain glaucoma drops where use in children is restricted (please see our booklet Glaucoma in Babies and Children). Generic substitutes for branded drops You can use automatic, pre-recorded prompts to either provide reassurance that it is not necessary to get up, to warn against entering a particular area, or against leaving the home. Prompting devices (see above) are available that can be triggered by movement in front of them. You could, for example, mount one above a chair or next to a doorway.That assistive technologies, including telecare, may be used to do tasks an individual is still able to do for themselves. This may contribute to them losing these skills sooner than would otherwise have been the case. The action of these drugs is to reduce production of fluid in the eye. These drops are used two or three times a day on their own, or twice a day if with another drop. Possible side effects include redness of the eye, crusty eyelashes, fatigue and a bitter taste in the mouth. Cholinergic agonist (pilocarpine) Have a central point of reference, for example a notice board or white board, on which a weekly plan can be displayed and where you can post reminders.