How to Apply Eye Medication

This step-by-step guide will assist you in administering eye medications to your cat.

Your veterinarian will provide you with eye medication, which may come in either ointment or drop form. If your pet has been prescribed both ointment and drops, apply the drops first, wait 5 minutes, and then apply the ointment. The amount of medication required will also be advised. It is important to note that the number of drops required may vary throughout treatment, depending on the response to the medication.

Your pet may experience blurry vision following the medication, so always keep them in a safe spot indoors after treatment.

Eye medications are often prescribed for:

• Short- or long-term eye problems
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Soreness

Step 1: Clean the Eye of Any Discharge

• Start by washing your hands. It is important that they are clean before applying medication to your pet's eye.
• Gently wipe away any wet or dry discharge from the cat's eye.
• Sterile saline can be applied to some cotton wool or gauze to gently wipe around the outside of the eye.

Step 2: Applying Eye Ointment

• Hold the ointment tube in your hand, as this can help warm it up to allow it to flow more easily.
• Tilt your pet's head slightly so that it is looking at the ceiling.
• Open the eye by lowering the lower eyelid with your hand to form a pocket-like opening.
• With the other hand, gently apply a thin strip of ointment (approximately the length of a grain of rice), allowing it to flow away from the nose.
• Spinning the tube slightly will help the ointment to fall away from the tube.
• Gently close the eyelid to help distribute the ointment over the eye.

Step 3: Applying Eye Drops

• Hold the bottle of drops in one hand.
• Tilt your pet's head slightly so that it is looking at the ceiling.
• Open the eye by lowering the lower eyelid with your hand to form a pocket-like opening.
• With the other hand, gently apply the number of drops recommended on the label.
• Gently close the eyelid to help distribute the drops over the eye.

When to See the Vet

Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet:

• Paws at the eye continuously
• Eyes appear worse (e.g. redder, whiter, cloudier)
• Shows any other signs of illness