<p>Eye drops are often used in dogs for a number of ocular conditions. Unlike some other organs in the body, the eye is tough to reach for many medications when they are given by mouth. Because of this, topical administration of medications in the form of drops (solutions) or ointments is obligatory for the majority of eye problems. The choice between dog eye drops and ointment depends on the sort of disease being treated. The key virtue of drops is that they tend to reach every part of the eye, even areas that are hard to reach. The key advantage of an ointment is that the medication remains in contact with the eye for a longer period of time, which can make it more effective. Common types of topical ophthalmics include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and anti-glaucoma medications.

Topical ophthalmic antibiotics are commonly prescribed for conditions of the eye. Whether the infection is in the cornea (infectious keratitis) or the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), the simplest way to fight the infection is to apply the antibiotic directly to the structure. Often, in the case of a corneal scratch or an ulceration, an antibiotic will be prescribed as a prophylaxis to prevent infection, even if evidence of infection isn’t present. Common ophthalmic antibiotic drops include neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin (neo-poly-bac), ofloxacin, and oxytetracycline (terramycin).

Many varieties of eye conditions need some kind of anti-inflammatory medication to be prescribed. Several varieties of eye disease cause inflammation of the cornea (keratitis), including pannus and dry eye. The irritation caused by these conditions can be much improved with use of a steroid anti-inflammatory. The most widely used topical ophthalmic steroids are prednisolone acetate and dexamethasone. Sometimes dexamethasone will be combined with an antibiotic, like neomycin-polymyxin-dexamethasone (neo-poly-dex). Ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for irritation in the eye, especially for anterior or posterior uveitis. The most commonly taken ophthalmic NSAID is flurbiprofen. Several of the contagions that react to steroids, like pannus and dry eye, frequently benefit when taken along with another sort of medicine called cyclosporine, which is an immune-suppressing drug that assists in reducing soreness by using a mechanism different from both steroids and non-steroidals. Ophthalmic cyclosporine must be obtained from a compounding pharmacy.

A third common category of eye medications commonly prescribed for dogs are anti-glaucoma medicines. Glaucoma is an increase in pressure within the eye and can be traced back to many different issues, such as intraocular infections, trauma, tumors, or primary glaucoma. Glaucoma medications work to reduce the pressure inside the eye, which assists in limiting damage to the intraocular structures and reducing pain. Types of anti-glaucoma medicines are carbonic anhydrase restrictors like dorzolamide (Trusop) or beta-blockers such as timolol maleate (Timoptic), or a mixture of the two (Cosopt).

If your dog has been prescribed topical ophthalmic medicines, it’s essential for you to follow your vet’s instructions. Make sure you are aware the purpose of the medicine, the manner in which it should be used, and what side effects to watch out for.

Cathy Doggins is the author of innumerable articles on a selection of dog health topics, including dog eye medication. She is a prolific contributor to the Dog Health Handbook, a prominent online publication on dog health. When not playing with her two Jack Russells, Cathy can regularly be found volunteering at a local shelter.