<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="2"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Hello everyone,</span></span>

<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="3"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">If you have ever tried to squeeze a thick ointment into your eye&mdash;or your child's eye&mdash;you know it can be a bit of a struggle. Unlike watery eye drops that disappear instantly, a 5 gm tube of antibiotic ointment like </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="215"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Optithrocin</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> is designed to stay on the eye surface for a long time. While this makes it incredibly effective at fighting infection, the application process takes a little practice.</span></span>

<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="4"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">We created this thread to share the best "pro-tips" for applying </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="65"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Optithrocin 5 gm</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> (Azithromycin) correctly, safely, and with the least amount of stress.</span></span>

<h3 style="font-family: 'Google Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="5"><strong style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">1. The Prep: Cleanliness is Key</span></span></h3>
<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="6"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Before you even touch the tube, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Because you are treating an active bacterial infection, the last thing you want to do is introduce new germs to the area.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Dry your hands</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> with a lint-free towel.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="7,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Remove the cap</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> and place it on a clean tissue. Never touch the tip of the tube with your fingers, eyelashes, or any other surface.</span></span>

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<h3 style="font-family: 'Google Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="8"><strong style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">2. The Technique: Finding "The Pocket"</span></span></h3>
<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="9"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">The most common mistake is trying to aim for the center of the eye. This often triggers a blink reflex that wastes the medicine. Instead, use the </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="146"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lower Lid Pocket Method</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> :</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Positioning:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Tilt your head back slightly or lie down flat on your back. Look upward toward the ceiling.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Pocket:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Use one clean finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid. This creates a small "pocket" between the lid and the eyeball.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Ribbon:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Hold the </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="21"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Optithrocin 5 gm</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> tube just above this pocket (do not touch the eye). Squeeze the tube gently to release a ribbon of ointment&mdash;usually about </span></span><span class="math-inline" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-math="1" data-index-in-node="160"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">$1$</span></span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> cm or </span></span><span class="math-inline" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-math="1/2" data-index-in-node="168"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">$1/2$</span></span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> inch&mdash;along the inside of the lower lid.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Sweeping Motion:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Some find it easiest to apply the ribbon in a "sweeping" motion from the inner corner of the eye toward the outer corner.</span></span>

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<h3 style="font-family: 'Google Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="11"><strong style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">3. After the Application: Distribute and Rest</span></span></h3>
<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="12"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Once the ribbon is in the pocket:</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,0,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,0,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Blink Gently:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Release the eyelid and blink slowly several times. This helps the heat from your eye melt the ointment and spread the </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,0,0" data-index-in-node="132"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Azithromycin</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> evenly across the surface.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,1,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Close and Rest:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> If possible, keep your eye closed for 1 to 2 minutes. This ensures the medicine stays in contact with the infection site and doesn't just wash away with your tears.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,2,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Wipe the Excess:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> It is normal for some ointment to ooze onto the eyelashes. Use a clean, damp tissue to gently wipe away the excess </span></span><em style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="132"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">from the outside</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> of the lid.</span></span>

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<h3 style="font-family: 'Google Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="14"><strong style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="14" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">4. Managing the "Blur" Factor</span></span></h3>
<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="15"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Because this is a 5 gm tube of thick ointment, </span></span><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="15" data-index-in-node="47"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">your vision will be blurry</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> for several minutes after application.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="16,0,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="16,0,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Timing:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> If your schedule allows, try to apply your dose at a time when you can sit still for 10&ndash;15 minutes.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="16,1,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="16,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Safety:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Never drive or operate machinery immediately after applying an ophthalmic ointment. Wait until your vision is completely clear.</span></span>

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<h3 style="font-family: 'Google Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="17"><strong style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="17" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">5. Storage and Care of Your 5 gm Tube</span></span></h3>
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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,0,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,0,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Recap Immediately:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Always put the cap back on as soon as you are done to prevent air and dust from entering.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,1,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Check the Date:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Most eye ointments should be discarded 28 to 30 days after opening, even if there is still medicine left in the tube. Write the "Date Opened" on the side of the box.</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,2,0"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="18,2,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cool and Dry:</span></span><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"> Store the tube at room temperature (below 30&deg;C) and away from direct sunlight.</span></span>

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<p style="font-family: 'Google Sans Text', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="20"><strong style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="20" data-index-in-node="0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Community Questions:</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="21,0,0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">Do you find it easier to apply the ointment while looking in a mirror or while lying down?</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="21,1,0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">If you are treating a child, what are your best "distraction" techniques to keep them still?</span></span>

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<p style="line-height: 1.15 !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" data-path-to-node="21,2,0"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span dir="auto" style="vertical-align: inherit;">How do you manage the temporary blurring during the day?</span></span>

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