ABSTRACT
Purpose:
This study aimed to determine the variation in diameters of outer and inner apertures of eyedropper tips using a computer vision system. Standardizing the size of eye drop nozzles is crucial to reduce the treatment cost of chronic eye diseases and to ensure a continued use of medication. An eyedropper volume of >20 µL (maximum storage of the conjunctival sac) causes medication wastage and increases treatment costs.
Methods:
We measured the diameters of the outer and inner apertures of eyedropper tips and evaluated variations in diameters using a computerized visual inspection system.
Results:
The computer visual inspection system identified anomalies in the apertures of eyedropper tips that resulted in diameter variations.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study show discrepancies in diameters of eyedropper tips, suggesting a variation in eyedropper size and medication wastage.
Keywords:
Lubricant eye drops; Drug packaging; Eyedropp size; Diameter variation; Health care costs; Computer vision system