Healthcare + Inclusive DesignConcept Development · 2026

Accessible
Eyedrop
Dispenser

Five concepts for a reusable, button-operated eyedrop dispenser designed for people with hand tremors, limited grip strength, or less experience applying drops.

Project: Accessible Eyedrop Dispenser
Role: Individual Industrial Designer
Status: Physical Form Exploration · In Progress
Outcome: Five Concepts + Appearance Models

Challenge

Hand tremors and reduced grip strength can make aligning and squeezing a conventional eyedrop bottle difficult without assistance.

Goal

Enable stable, one-handed dispensing so the other hand remains free to hold the eye open when needed.

Solution

Five reusable concepts combine push-button activation with face-supported positioning, portable forms, and access to both eyes.

Human Context

The project began with a loss of independence

This project began with someone close to me: a water polo player who experiences hand tremors. He is usually able to manage his daily routine independently, but after demanding practices, fatigue makes it difficult to steady, align, and squeeze a traditional eyedrop bottle. At times, he has to rely on his sister to administer the drops.

His experience revealed that the challenge extends beyond tremors alone. Reduced grip strength, fatigue, and limited familiarity with eyedrops can turn a simple routine into a task that requires assistance.

The opportunity was not simply easier squeezing—it was a more stable, confident way to self-administer.

Market Gap

Most existing aids still require squeezing

Accessible Eyedrop Dispenser market research brief outlining the problem, potential users, pain points, and design requirements — Market research · problem framing, potential users, pain points, and product requirements

Visual research into eyedrop aids, soft forms, hand grips, and face-supported products

Market research showed that many existing aids clip onto disposable eyedrop bottles. While they may help with positioning, users still have to squeeze the original package.

That creates two missed opportunities: the aid is tied to a disposable bottle, and the primary grip action remains unchanged.

01Integrated reusable vessel instead of a disposable add-on

02Push-button dispensing instead of forceful squeezing

03Face contact that guides alignment above either eye

Design Criteria

Independent use shaped every concept

One hand

Operate the dispenser with one hand so the other can hold the eyelid open.

Low force

Replace squeezing with a clear, easy-to-press button mechanism.

Stable alignment

Use the nose or surrounding face as a repeatable positioning reference.

Portable + reusable

Create a compact refillable form that works for both eyes and everyday users.

Broad Ideation

Exploring position, grip, and portability

Early nose-supported button dispenser concept

Early face-rest eyedrop concept exploration

Final Five

Comparing five approaches to alignment and grip

The final set tests different relationships between the hand, nose, eye, and button. Each direction supports one-handed use while varying how the product is held, rested, rotated, and carried.

Final concept 1 with nose cutout and top dispense button — Concept 01 · Curved nose cutout

Final concept 2 with rotating upper body and nose brace — Concept 02 · Rotating upper body

Final concept 3 with side grip and dispense button — Concept 03 · Side-grip form

Final concept 4 with vertical button and nose cutout — Concept 04 · Vertical compact form

Final concept 5 with wraparound face-supported form — Concept 05 · Wraparound support

Appearance Models

Physical models for grip and face positioning

Hand holding a white foam appearance model of the accessible eyedrop dispenser against a neutral background — Appearance model · button access, scale, and grip

Lillian positioning a small white foam eyedrop dispenser model with a teal nozzle above her eye — In-use form check · grip, nozzle alignment, and one-handed positioning

What the models evaluate

These appearance models make it possible to compare scale, grip comfort, facial contact, button access, and alignment before developing the internal mechanism.

Next validation

The next phase will investigate repeatable dosage, refill and cleaning methods, contamination risk, and reliable one-handed dispensing through functional prototypes and user testing.

Next project: Cub Corner →