Why do eye drop caps have different colors?

Eye drop caps are color-coded to make it easier for Optometrists and Ophthalmologists (and other healthcare professionals) to talk to patients about eye medications and to prevent patient mistakes. The colors relate to the type of eye medication in the bottle.

Bona Pharma is a specialist manufacturer of packaging for pharmaceutical products. The company manufacturs a number of different eye drop packs for the healthcare industry which are relied upon by millions of users around the world.

Featuring tamper-evident cap designs, Bona's eye drop bottles are available in capacities of 5ml, 9ml, 10ml and 15ml, all manufactured in Class D and Class C+A clean rooms and complying with CP, EP, USP food & drug direct contact regulations.

Eye drop cap colors

Yellow or dark blue cap: Beta blockers and beta blocker combinations
A yellow cap is used for beta blockers. A dark blue cap is used for beta blocker combinations: eye drops that combine a beta blocker with another type of medication.

Gray cap: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
Gray eye drop caps are used for ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Pink cap: Steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
Common steroid eye drops include Prednisolone acetate, Loteprednol and Flourometholone.

Dark green cap: Miotics
Eye Drops with a dark green or forest green cap are called miotics. These drops cause the pupil to get smaller or constrict. The drop in this category include pilocarpine.

Olive green cap: Anti-inflammatory immunomodulators
These eye drops include Methotrexate and voclosporin.

Orange cap: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Orange eye drop caps are used for carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Include Brinzolamide and dorzolamide.

Purple or light green cap: Adrenergic agonists and adrenergic agonist combinations
Purple eye drop caps are used for adrenergic agonists, include Dipivefrin HCI and Brimonidine. And light green caps are used for adrenergic agonist combinations, include Brinzolamide-brimonidine.

Red cap: Cycloplegics and mydriatics
Among the dilating drops that are used in eye exams and for treatments are Tropicamide, Atropine and Phenylephrine.

Tan cap: Anti-infectives
These eye drops include Ciprofloxacin, Tobramycin,Erythromycin, and Trimethoprim.

Turquoise cap: Prostaglandin analogues
Turquoise eye drop caps are used for prostaglandin analogues (PGAs), include Bimatoprost, Latanoprost and Travoprost.

White cap: Topical anesthetics, generics or non-prescription eye drops
A topical anesthetic, such as proparacaine, has a white cap. Generic eye drops or drops formulated by a compound pharmacy may also have a white cap. White eye drop caps may also be used for over-the-counter eye drops.

Common OTC eye drops may include artificial tears and drops used to reduce redness. These non-prescription eye drops may provide relief for allergies, eye itchiness or irritation, red eyes and dry eyes.

But keep in mind that OTC eye drops aren't officially part of the color coding system, so manufacturers may choose to use a different color cap.

Learn about the critical role of packaging in ophthalmic drug delivery for patient safety.

Discover Bona's various eye drop bottles for ophthalmic products.

Eye drop packaging specifications

(bottle number shown in the image)