What does the 'ii gtts os tid' prescription indicate?

The prescription 'ii gtts os tid' translates to administering two drops in the left eye three times a day. In this context, 'ii' signifies the quantity of two, 'gtts' refers to drops (from the Latin 'guttae'), 'os' specifically means the left eye (from the Latin 'oculus sinister'), and 'tid' indicates the frequency of three times a day (from the Latin 'ter in die').

Understanding these abbreviations is critical for correctly interpreting prescriptions, as the implications of the direction (whether it pertains to the left or right eye, for instance) directly impact patient care. Recognizing 'os' as denoting the left eye is key, as it differentiates this option from others that may reference the right eye or ears. Thus, this option accurately reflects the instruction provided in the prescription.