Updated May 1, 2026
When you’re considering which kind of catheter to use, you may not think of catheter drainage eyelets as an important feature. Also called catheter eyes or drainage holes, these small openings near the catheter tip allow urine to enter the catheter tube and drain from the bladder.
However, the quality, size, shape, and placement of catheter eyelets can play a part in catheter comfort and drainage.
Let’s go over what catheter eyelets are, why they matter, and how certain eyelet features may affect your catheterization experience. With the right information, you and your healthcare provider can make the right decision on which intermittent catheter may work best for you.
What Are Catheter Drainage Eyelets?
First, what are catheter drainage eyelets? Also known as drain holes or catheter eyes, the drainage eyelets of an intermittent catheter are typically located near the catheter’s insertion tip.
Catheter eyelets are positioned so that when you insert the catheter through the urineenters through the urethra or stoma into the bladder, urine enters the catheter tube’s passage through those holes. Then, urine drains out accordingly.
Most catheters have at least 2 drainage eyelets. However, some catheter brands or types may have only one drainage eye or more than two.
Urinary catheter eyelets are one part of the overall catheter design. Other features and parts of the catheter, such as whether it has a straight or coudé insertion tip, lubrication, and introducer tips on certain catheter types, may also affect your catheterization experience.
Where Are Catheter Eyelets Located?
Catheter eyelets are located near the insertion tip of the catheter. Depending on the catheter type and brand, the eyelets may be positioned on one or more sides of the catheter tube.
When the catheter reaches the bladder, urine enters through these small drainage holes and flows through the catheter tube out the catheter funnel end, allowing the bladder to empty.
Why Do Catheter Drainage Eyelets Matter?
While catheter eyelets may not be the first feature you think about when choosing a catheter, they can make a difference in the catheterization experience.
The smoothness of your catheter eyelets may affect comfort during insertion and removal. Plus, the size, shape, placement, or number of eyelets on your intermittent catheter can impact how efficiently urine drains and flows out through the catheter.
If you experience discomfort during catheterization, slow drainage, or other concerns, talk with your urologist or healthcare provider. A different catheter style or type may be worth discussing.
Punched Vs. Polished Eyelets: What’s the Difference?
Did you know that catheter drainage eyes can impact the comfort level of your catheterization? In fact, they can even make using a catheter painful if they’re not smooth.
One major difference between various catheter eyelets is in their creation during the manufacturing process.
One way to create a catheter eyelet is by punching a hole in the material. This process is known as “cold-punching.” While this will create eyelets that do their intended job, some catheter users find that punched eyelets feel rougher or cause a bit of friction or discomfort.
However, many intermittent catheters today feature smooth, polished drainage eyelets, such as those on Cure® catheters.
Polishing the drain holes makes the edges much smoother, which may help ease the catheter’s passage through the urethra and make the process more comfortable for some users.
Size and Shape of Catheter Eyelets
Depending on the brand and type of an intermittent catheter, the size, shape, and placement of catheter drainage eyelets can vary.
Larger eyelets may allow urine to drain a little faster, while smaller or fewer eyelets will allow the urine to flow a little more slowly from one’s bladder.
The shape of catheter eyelets may also affect how comfortable a catheter feels.
Newer Catheter Eyelet Technology
As catheter technology continues to evolve, some new intermittent catheters are designed with more than the traditional one or two drainage eyelets.
For example, Coloplast Luja™ catheters feature Micro-hole Zone Technology, which features multiple small drainage holes instead of the traditional eyelet design. The Luja™ Coudé is designed with 80+ micro-holes, while Luja™ female catheters are designed with 50+ micro-holes. According to Coloplast, this technology is intended to help empty the bladder.
This is one example of how catheter eyelet design, drainage-hole placement, and catheter technology can affect the catheterization experience. However, every person’s anatomy, diagnosis, comfort level, prescription, and insurance coverage are different.
Your healthcare provider can help determine which catheter option may be right for you.
Common Questions About Catheter Eyelets
Here are a few more quick answers to questions you might have about drainage holes in your urinary catheters.
Do all intermittent catheters have the same number of eyelets?
No. Most intermittent catheters have one or two drainage eyelets, but the number, size, shape, and placement of drainage holes can vary by catheter type and brand.
Some newer catheter designs, such as Coloplast Luja™ catheters, use multiple micro-holes instead of the traditional eyelet design.
Are catheter eyelets the same as drainage holes?
Yes. Catheter eyelets may also be called drainage eyes, drain holes, or catheter eyes.
Do catheter eyelets affect comfort?
In some cases, yes, catheter eyelets can have an effect on comfort. The smoothness, size, shape, and placement of catheter eyelets may play a part in how a catheter feels during insertion and removal.
There are many catheter options available at 180 Medical with smooth, polished eyelets if your current catheter’s eyelets feel uncomfortable.
Help Finding a Catheter That’s Right For You
The wide selection of catheter supplies can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time catheter users. However, at 180 Medical, we specialize in intermittent catheters, so we truly know our business and the products we carry from top to bottom. We carry one of the widest selections of catheter products for men, women, and children from all the top brands. This is because we fully understand that no single catheter type or brand will work for everyone across the board.
You should have the freedom to choose which catheter works best for you, based on your doctor’s prescription and your insurance coverage. Contact us to get started. Our friendly product experts are ready to help you find the right catheter supplies for you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Information provided on 180medical.com should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition, treatment, or medical supply needs.
