The aim of this study was to assess whether patients have their ocular drop
s correctly prescribed during nonophthalmic admissions to hospital. A retro
spective review of notes of patients who were admitted to hospital for gene
ral medical or surgical care, while on regular eye drops at the time of adm
ission was performed. Twenty two patients were on regular ocular medication
when admitted. Only seven out of 22 patients had their eye drops correctly
prescribed. Furthermore, six patients had been prescribed topical beta -bl
ockers, yet suffered from medical conditions that may have been aggravated
by these drops. These findings demonstrate that the majority of patients on
drops do not have their medication correctly prescribed during non-ophthal
mic admissions to hospital. Also topical beta -blockers continue to be inap
propriately prescribed.