How to apply eye medications?
Why do I need to apply eye drops so often?
The duration of activity of each eye medication is different. It is therefore important to administer the eye drops and ointments consistently and at regular time intervals, otherwise the treatment may become unproductive.
How should I apply eye drops?
Before administering any eyedrops or ointments, please wipe away any discharge from previous eye medications with boiled water and cotton wool or pads.
If you are right handed, hold the left hand under the chin of your pet to raise its head towards the ceiling. This will naturally make the eyes open. Hold the dropper bottle in your right, resting the palm of your hand on your pets forehead. Slightly raise the upper eyelid with you little finger and squeeze the dropper bottle to let one drop fall directly into the eye. Maintain the head in this position fora few seconds and prevent your pet from excessively shaking or rubbing its head immediately after application of the eyedrop.
How should I apply ointments?
Before administering any eyedrops or ointments, please wipe away any discharge from previous eye medications with boiled water and cotton wool or pads.
Just like applying eye-drops gently raise your pets head with your left hand. Hold the ointment tube in your right hand and gently squeeze the tube to apply ointment just inside the eyelid. Avoid touching the eye with the tip of the tube or scratching along the surface of the eye with it by maintaining contact with your pet via the palm of your right hand on its head.
How much ointment/how many eye drops do I need to apply?
If you are applying eye-drops one drop is sufficient, any excess eye drops will cause spill over and may reduce the desired treatment effect. When applying ointments, aim for roughly the size of a grain of rice.
What if I need to apply several different eye drops? We recommend allowing 5-10 minutes between 2 eyedrops and at least 3 hours between different ointments. We therefore recommend applying eye-drops before ointments.
Can there be side effects?
Yes, as with any medical treatment short and long term side effects are possible with any eye-drop/ointment. It is not unusual for animals to blink frequently after application of eye medications or even try to rub their eyes. However, this effect should stop after only a few minutes. In case you notice redness or discomfort several minutes/hours after application, please contact your ophthalmologist, as this may be a sign of discomfort.