滴眼液 (dī yǎn yè) literally means 'drop eye liquid' — a compound noun formed from 滴 (dī, 'drop'), 眼 (yǎn, 'eye'), and 液 (yè, 'liquid'). It refers specifically to sterile liquid solutions administered directly into the eyes for medical or therapeutic purposes, such as relieving dryness, treating infections, reducing redness, or managing glaucoma. Unlike general 'eye washes', 滴眼液 is always formulated for ocular use and sold over-the-counter or by prescription in pharmacies.

This term is standard in clinical, pharmaceutical, and everyday health contexts in Chinese-speaking regions. It’s commonly seen on packaging, in doctor’s instructions, and in pharmacy consultations. The word emphasizes both the delivery method (drops) and the target organ (eyes), distinguishing it from oral medications or ointments. Users must follow dosage and hygiene guidelines strictly, as improper use can cause irritation or infection.