To avoid contamination while administering eye ointment, what should be avoided?

When administering eye ointment, it is crucial to maintain a sterile environment to prevent contamination and potential infections. The key reason to avoid touching the dropper to the eye is that this contact can introduce pathogens from the eye or the eyelids directly onto the dropper. If the dropper becomes contaminated, every subsequent use can lead to spreading bacteria or viruses, compromising the patient's health.

Maintaining a safe distance while applying the ointment can help ensure that the application is smooth and that the ointment remains uncontaminated. It's also important to avoid closing the eye tightly during application since this may prevent the ointment from spreading evenly and may even cause discomfort. Making direct eye contact does not significantly affect sterility, though it may be a distraction during administration, but the actual risk of contamination is higher with physical contact between the eye and dropper. Therefore, avoiding direct contact between the dropper and the eye is essential for safe and effective administration.