Why does my throat feel bitter when I use eye drops?

It is normal for you to feel bitter shortly after taking oral medications. However, what if what you are using is not oral medication? But eye drops are actually given directly to the eye, so they don't go through the mouth and throat. Yes, although not always, the use of eye drops can sometimes cause a bitter sore throat when swallowing for some people.

Apparently, this is because there is a channel that connects directly between the eye glands and the nose (nasolacrimalis), and is followed by the nose to the throat. If you look more closely, there is a small hole on the inside of the lower eyelid called the lacrimal punctum (puncta).

That is why, when you are crying, using eye drops, or doing other things that make your eyes water, the fluid will flow into the nasolacrimal tract.

Furthermore, the fluid from the eye ends up in the back of the duct that is directly connected to the nose and throat, which is also adjacent to the esophageal tract. This is what later on without realizing it makes you feel like you can feel the taste of the tears, even the bitter taste of the eye drops that you use right when you swallow.

Is this condition considered normal?

After experiencing a bitter throat when you swallow right after using the eye drops, you may think that this is a side effect of the drug. Or even think that a bitter taste appears as a sign something is wrong with your eye drops.

Basically, a bitter throat when swallowed after using eye drops is a normal condition so there is no need to worry. Because after all, the bitter taste usually won't last long and will soon disappear a few seconds later.

However, if the bitter taste of the eye drops still persists in the throat, it never hurts to consult a doctor further. Especially if it interferes with activities and affects the taste of the food and drinks you consume.