How and when to use timolol eye drops - Brand names: Eysano, Timoptol, Timoptol LA, Tiopex

Timolol eye drops come in 2 different strengths, a 0.5% solution and 0.25% solution. Your doctor will recommend which strength of eye drop you will need.

The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye, once or twice a day.

If you're using the drops twice a day, use them once in the morning and once in the evening.

How to use eye drops

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using your eye drops. The drops may make your vision blurred if you use them with contact lenses.
  3. If you are using a bottle, remove the lid. If you are using a single-use dropper, twist off the tip.
  4. Make sure the dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin.
  5. Tilt your head back to look at the ceiling.
  6. Use your finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid.
  7. Hold the dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 drop to fall into your eye.
  8. Close your eye. Gently press your finger on the inside corner of your eyelid for at least 2 minutes. This helps keep the timolol drop in your eye.
  9. Do the same in the other eye if the doctor has told you to do this. There is enough liquid in 1 single-dose dropper to put a drop in both eyes if needed.
  10. Put the cap back on the bottle, or if you are using the single-dose dropper, throw it away.

If you wear contact lenses, wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses in your eyes.

If you are using timolol with other eye drops, make sure you leave at least 5 minutes between using timolol and your other eye drops. Otherwise, the eye drops you use first may be washed out and not work as well. Ask your pharmacist which eye drops you should use first.

Expiry dates

Use the timolol eye drops within the expiry date shown on the bottle and within 4 weeks of opening. This will help to lower the risk of eye infections and make sure the eye drops work properly.

The single-dose droppers come in a paper or aluminium packet. Once you open the packet, use the droppers within 28 days. After opening each dropper, use it immediately and throw it away after use.

Do not use the droppers after the expiry date shown on the box.

You could write the date you opened the bottle or packet on the label or the box. This will help you remember when you need to start using a new one.

How long to use it for

You'll usually use timolol eye drops for the rest of your life. However, if the eye drops are not working well enough for you, your doctor may recommend a different treatment or prescribe another medicine as well as timolol eye drops.

It's important to use your eye drops regularly and go for check-ups with your eye specialist to stop your sight getting worse.

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop using timolol eye drops. If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine instead.

Do not stop using timolol eye drops suddenly without talking to your doctor, as it may make your eye condition worse.

If you forget to use them

If you miss a dose of eye drops, use the drops as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and use the next dose at the usual time.

Never use an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember your medicines.

If you use too much

If too many drops fall into your eye at one time, the liquid will drain out the side of your eye. Any more drops after this should do the same.

Using too much timolol eye drops may cause:

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the timolol packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

More in Timolol eye drops

Page last reviewed: 25 August 2022
Next review due: 25 August 2025

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