Tips and Tricks to Apply Eye Medication
Eye medications are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as infections, inflammation, injuries, or dry eye. Applying eye medication can sometimes feel challenging, but with a few simple techniques, it can become much easier and less stressful for both you and your pet.
1. Preparation
Before starting, gather all the supplies you will need:
Your pet’s eye medication
Clean tissues or cotton pads
Treats or rewards for your pet
A calm, well-lit area
Always wash your hands before and after applying medication to prevent introducing bacteria to the eye.
2. Applying the eye drops
Gently wipe away any debris around the eye using a warm, damp washcloth before applying the medication.
Hold the eye drop bottle between your thumb and index finger. For better control, you can rest the side of your hand on the top of your pet’s head for stability.
With your other hand, gently pull down the lower eyelid using your thumb. This will create a small pocket or pouch to hold the drops.
Hold the bottle close to the eye without touching the eye or eyelids.
Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the eye, aiming for the center.
Release your pet’s head and allow them to blink naturally.
Blinking will spread the medication across the surface of the eye.
For horses: A 1 mL syringe with the needle removed can sometimes be used to administer eye drops from a short distance. Please contact your veterinarian for guidance before using this method.
3. Applying the eye ointment
Gently wipe away any debris around the eye using a warm, damp washcloth before applying the medication.
Apply a thin strip of the ointment onto your clean finger or a cotton swab (Q-tip).
With your other hand, gently pull down your pet’s lower eyelid using your thumb. This will create a small pouch to hold the ointment.
Carefully roll or place the ointment from your finger or cotton swab into the lower eyelid pouch.
Release the eyelid and allow your pet to blink, which will help spread the ointment across the surface of the eye.
Tips
If your pet’s eye is painful or sensitive, you may need an extra person to help gently hold them still.
Large dogs can be positioned in a corner for support.
Small dogs or cats can be swaddled in a blanket to keep them calm and secure.
Always keep the applicator tip clean. Avoid touching the eye, eyelid, or any other surface with the tip to prevent contamination.
If the applicator does accidentally touch the eye or another surface, wipe it clean with a clean cloth. For specific cleaning instructions, check with your veterinarian.
In the Blink of an Eye: How to Give Eye Drops
