It can be an unpleasant sensation when eyedrops leave a distinct taste in your mouth. This common experience is a normal physiological phenomenon, resulting from the intricate connection between your eyes, nose, and throat. Many people are unaware of this anatomical pathway, leading to confusion when they taste something applied to their eye.
The Journey from Eye to Taste Buds
The journey of eyedrops to your taste buds begins with the tear drainage system. Eyedrops exit the eye through tiny openings called puncta, located in the inner corner of your upper and lower eyelids. These puncta act like small drains, collecting excess fluid from the eye’s surface.
From the puncta, fluid travels through small tubes called canaliculi, leading to the lacrimal sac, a reservoir near the bridge of your nose. This sac narrows into the nasolacrimal duct, or tear duct. The nasolacrimal duct then empties directly into your nasal cavity. From there, the fluid can drain down the back of your throat, where taste buds are present, allowing you to taste the eyedrops. This system also explains why your nose might run when you cry, as excess tears follow this same route.
Understanding the Experience
Tasting eyedrops is a normal and generally harmless consequence of this interconnected drainage system. The taste’s intensity varies, often depending on the eyedrop formulation’s specific ingredients. Some medications or preservatives have distinct flavors noticeable when they reach the back of your throat.
The sensation might be bitter or metallic, and while unsettling, it is typically temporary. This taste is not usually a sign of a problem with the eyedrops or your health. Instead, it indicates some liquid entered the tear drainage pathway and reached your oral cavity. For chronic conditions, oversized drops can lead to systemic absorption and potential side effects. Therefore, consult an eye care professional if concerns arise.
Simple Steps to Reduce the Taste
Several methods can help minimize or prevent the taste of eyedrops. One effective technique is punctal occlusion. This involves applying gentle pressure to the inner corner of your eye near the bridge of your nose immediately after instilling the drops. This pressure effectively closes off the puncta, blocking or slowing eyedrop drainage into the nasolacrimal duct.
To perform punctal occlusion, close your eye gently and use a clean finger to press on the inner corner for 30 seconds to two minutes. This action helps keep the medication on the eye’s surface, allowing for better absorption and reducing the amount that travels to your throat. Tilting your head back slightly after applying drops and keeping your eyes gently closed can also help prevent immediate drainage and reduce the likelihood of tasting the medication. Wiping away any excess drops that spill onto your skin further limits the amount available to enter the drainage system.