Retina Health Center Founder and Director Dr. Alexander Eaton has created and introduced XactDrop, an eye drop applicator guide designed to help patients more accurately deliver eye drops. XactDrop is suitable for people of all ages and can be used by anyone using eye drops, including cataract and glaucoma patients, contact lens wearers, those using eye drops for allergies, dry eyes or eye infections.
In a 2016 clinical study using a special camera to record patients applying eye drops, researchers at Retina Health Center found that over 80 percent of patients touched their eye or eye lashes with the tip of the eye dropper, and many missed their eye altogether, without realizing the application error.
“This study confirmed what many ophthalmologist and optometrists already know – people waste eye drops, which can compromise care and drive up costs,” said Dr. Eaton. “Additionally, eye contact with the bottle tip can increase the risk of infection and irritation in the eye, further compromising patient care.”
Easy to use, Xactdrop keeps the dropper accurately aimed at the eye from a safe distance. In a study of 106 patients who tried the device in 2017, researchers found that 72 percent thought it was or could be helpful. XactDrop sits on the bridge of the user’s nose and keeps the eye drop medication bottle steady and in place, approximately 1cm away from the eye during application. The user then tilts his or her head back, then squeezes the bottle, releasing the drops directly into the eye.
“Shaky hands are a big issue for many people using eye drops,” said Dr. Eaton. “XactDrop is easy to use, affordable and reusable, and is already helping our patients improve their eye drop delivery.” XactDrop is available for purchase at Retina Health Center locations in Fort Myers and Naples, Florida, as well as online at Xactdrop.com for $8.99 and includes two sizes to fit small and large eye drop bottles. Retina Health Center and the Macular Degeneration Research Center were established in 2002 by Dr. Alexander M. Eaton, a long-time Southwest Florida resident, who has been practicing ophthalmology in Lee and Collier counties for more than 20 years. Dr. Eaton has been the principal investigator for numerous studies to prevent and treat macular degeneration, and has invented numerous medical devices for use by patients and physicians that are used worldwide. For more information on the latest studies or to make an appointment, call 239-337-3337 in Fort Myers or 239-793-5200 in Naples.
