It is common to taste eye drops in your throat shortly after application. This sensation is a normal consequence of the eye’s natural drainage system.
How Eye Drops Reach Your Throat
Eye drops reach your throat through a specialized anatomical pathway designed for tear drainage. When instilled, they mix with natural tears and collect near the inner corner of the eye. Here, small openings called puncta, located on the upper and lower eyelids, act as drains.
These puncta lead into tiny tubes known as canaliculi. The canaliculi converge, typically forming a common canaliculus, before draining into the lacrimal sac, a small reservoir between the eye and nose. From the lacrimal sac, a larger duct called the nasolacrimal duct extends downwards, connecting the eye’s drainage system to the nasal cavity.
The nasolacrimal duct opens into the inferior meatus, a space within the nose. Once in the nasal cavity, the eye drop solution flows to the back of the throat and is swallowed. This intricate system explains why substances applied to the eye can be tasted.
Is This Normal and Harmless?
Tasting eye drops in your throat is generally normal and harmless, especially for standard over-the-counter or prescribed drops used as directed. The taste can vary, often described as bitter, salty, or metallic, and may linger for a short period.
While the sensation might be unpleasant, it typically does not indicate a health risk. However, if the taste is unusually strong, causes nausea, or if you are using specific medicated drops and experience concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare professional. Some medicated drops, if absorbed systemically, can lead to side effects, making proper application important.
Simple Ways to Avoid the Taste
Several methods can help minimize eye drops from reaching your throat. One effective technique is punctal occlusion, which involves gently pressing on the inner corner of your eye, near the bridge of your nose, immediately after applying the drops. This pressure helps to temporarily close the tear duct, keeping the medication on the eye’s surface where it is intended to work. Holding this pressure for at least one to two minutes is often recommended.
Keeping your eye gently closed for a minute or two after application, without excessive blinking, also helps; blinking can act like a pump, pushing the drops into the drainage system more quickly. Wiping away any excess drops that spill onto your eyelid or cheek with a clean tissue also prevents them from entering the drainage system. Tilting your head slightly backward when applying drops can also help direct the solution onto the eye and reduce runoff.