Which statement best describes the ocular route?

Which statement best describes the ocular route?

• A. Administered in the eye
• B. Administered in the ear
• C. Delivered in spray
• D. Inhaled through the nose or mouth

Answer: (A)

The ocular route means delivering medication directly into the eye, such as eye drops or ointments applied to the conjunctival sac. This method targets the eye tissues for local effect and is common for conditions like conjunctivitis or dry eye. When giving an eye drop, you place it into the lower eyelid’s conjunctival sac, not on the cornea itself, and avoid touching the dropper to the eye to prevent infection. Have the patient gently close the eye after administration and apply light pressure at the inner corner of the eye to help limit systemic absorption. If more than one eye medication is prescribed, wait several minutes between applications so the first drug isn’t washed away. Why the other options don’t fit: administering a medication in the ear uses the otic route; a spray can refer to different routes and isn’t specific to the eye; inhalation involves delivering medication through the nose or mouth into the lungs.

The ocular route means delivering medication directly into the eye, such as eye drops or ointments applied to the conjunctival sac. This method targets the eye tissues for local effect and is common for conditions like conjunctivitis or dry eye.

When giving an eye drop, you place it into the lower eyelid’s conjunctival sac, not on the cornea itself, and avoid touching the dropper to the eye to prevent infection. Have the patient gently close the eye after administration and apply light pressure at the inner corner of the eye to help limit systemic absorption. If more than one eye medication is prescribed, wait several minutes between applications so the first drug isn’t washed away.

Why the other options don’t fit: administering a medication in the ear uses the otic route; a spray can refer to different routes and isn’t specific to the eye; inhalation involves delivering medication through the nose or mouth into the lungs.