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Eye Drop Cap Color Chart

Identify ophthalmic medications by cap color and drug class

How Eye Drop Cap Colors Help Identify Medications

The AAO cap color coding system

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) promotes a voluntary cap color-coding system for topical ocular medications to reduce dispensing errors and simplify complex regimens. When patients are using multiple drops — for example glaucoma therapy plus dry eye and allergy management — consistent cap colors provide an extra safety cue when labels are hard to read or vision is reduced. The cap color chart on this page summarizes common color associations by drug class.

High-risk mix-ups to watch for

Cap color is a helpful cue, but it is not a substitute for verifying the label. Safety-critical distinctions such as tan caps (anti-infectives) versus pink caps (steroids) should be reinforced in counseling to reduce the risk of using a steroid on infectious keratitis. Red caps identify mydriatics and cycloplegics, and patients should be told these drops will dilate the pupil, blur near vision, and increase light sensitivity.

When cap colors don't match the standard

Generic manufacturers and compounding pharmacies can deviate from standard AAO colors because of packaging or supply constraints. For example, some prostaglandin products may appear with clear or white caps rather than teal. If a refill looks different, instruct patients to confirm the drug name and strength on the label before use. In the clinic, confirm class and indication when switching between branded and generic versions to keep education and workflows consistent.

Cap Color Reference by Medication Class

ClassColor
Adrenergic agonist combinationsLight Green
Adrenergic agonistsPurple
Anti-infectivesTan
Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidalGray
Anti-inflammatory, steroidsPink
Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatorsOlive Green
Beta-blocker combinationsDark Blue
Beta-blockersYellow
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitorsOrange
CytotoxicBlack
MioticsDark Green
Mydriatics and cycloplegicsRed
Prostaglandin analoguesTurquoise

Eye Drop Cap Color FAQs

What color cap do glaucoma drops have?

Glaucoma drops use several cap colors depending on the drug class. Teal (dark turquoise) identifies prostaglandin analogs like latanoprost and travoprost. Yellow identifies beta-blockers like timolol. Purple identifies adrenergic agonists like brimonidine. Orange identifies carbonic anhydrase inhibitors like dorzolamide. Combination drops typically follow the color of the primary agent in the combination.

What does a red cap on an eye drop mean?

A red cap indicates a mydriatic or cycloplegic agent such as atropine, cyclopentolate, or phenylephrine. These drops dilate the pupil and may reduce accommodation. Counsel patients that red-cap drops can cause light sensitivity and near blur and should not be confused with redness relievers or lubricants.

What color cap do steroid eye drops have?

Topical corticosteroid eye drops typically have a pink or light rose cap. Common examples include prednisolone acetate, loteprednol, and fluorometholone. The pink color distinguishes steroids from antibiotics (tan caps), which is a safety-critical distinction — using a steroid instead of an antibiotic on an active infection can worsen the condition.

What color cap do antibiotic eye drops have?

Antibiotic eye drops typically have a tan cap. This includes fluoroquinolones like moxifloxacin and ofloxacin, as well as aminoglycosides like tobramycin. Antibiotic-steroid combination drops may vary — some use tan and others pink — so always verify the label when both classes are in a patient's regimen.

Why is my prostaglandin cap clear or white instead of teal?

Teal is the standard color for prostaglandin analogs such as latanoprost, but some generic products or preservative-free unit-dose packaging may use clear or white caps and containers. If the cap color changes between refills, instruct patients to confirm the drug name and strength on the label before use.

What is the difference between tan and pink eye drop caps?

Tan caps typically identify anti-infective agents such as antibiotics, while pink caps identify topical corticosteroids. This distinction is safety-critical because using a steroid instead of an antibiotic on infectious keratitis can worsen the condition. Reinforce this difference whenever both classes are prescribed or when a patient is unsure which bottle is which.

What color cap do NSAID eye drops have?

NSAID eye drops like ketorolac and bromfenac typically have a gray cap. NSAIDs are often used perioperatively or for inflammation where a steroid is not preferred. The gray cap helps distinguish them from both steroids (pink) and antibiotics (tan) in post-surgical regimens where patients may be using all three classes simultaneously.

Are eye drop cap colors standardized or required by law?

The AAO cap color system is voluntary, not legally required. Most branded ophthalmic products follow the guidelines, but generic manufacturers, compounding pharmacies, and international products may not. This is why cap color should be used as a helpful cue alongside — not instead of — reading the label. Counsel patients to always verify the drug name, especially when switching between brands or receiving a new generic.