Managing vision and eye health problems

Resources you will need

To clean eyelashes and eyelids

• Clean gloves
• Clean gauze or cloth
• Cotton buds
• Clean water or sterile saline solution that has not expired

To provide eye drops or antibiotic ointment

• Clean gloves
• Clean gauze or cloth
• Eye drops and antibiotic eye ointment (if qualified to provide medication)

To apply a warm compress

• Hot water
• Clean gauze or cloth

To remove inward turning eyelashes

• Clean gloves
• Sterile tweezers

To wash out eye

• A large syringe or a jug with a pouring spout
• Bowl or kidney dish
• Clean water or sterile saline solution that has not expired
• Towel

To turn eyelid outward

• Clean gloves
• Cotton buds

To make an apply an eye cover

• Cotton wool
• Gauze
• Adhesive tape
• Scissors
• Thin cardboard
• Circular object about 8 centimetres wide (for example a cup)
• Pen or pencil

To remove a foreign body

• Clean gloves
• Cotton buds or clean cloth
• Cooled boiled water or sterile saline solution that has not expired

To test pupil reactions and eye movements

• Pen torch

Click on the links below to download and print the:

• List of key words
• Key messages
• Primary eye care guides
• Primary eye care referral form
• Primary eye care follow up referral list