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Just like us, dogs can suffer from itchy, red, or irritated eyes — and it’s not always something you can ignore. From minor allergies or irritants to more serious conditions that can affect their vision long-term, keeping your pup’s eyes healthy is a big deal.
Table of Contents
Some issues can be soothed with over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, but others need a vet’s prescription to get real relief. In this guide, I’ll break down:
- The best eye drops for dogs for different needs
- When to see your vet
- How to get those drops in your pup’s eyes (without a battle)
At A Glance: Best OTC Eye Drops For Dogs
| Saline Wash | Lubricating | For Allergies | For Mild Pink Eye |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Burt’s Bees | I-DROP VET PLUS | Vetericyn Plus | Curycin |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Chewy | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
When To Call Your Vet: Signs Of Potentially Serious Eye Problems In Dogs
Several severe and/or chronic eye conditions share very similar symptoms, so you should seek veterinary attention to get a definitive diagnosis and treatment if you notice these signs, particularly if they last more than 24 hours.
- Redness
- Discharge (may be clear and watery or thicker and yellowish)
- Squinting, blinking, or keeping they eye closed
- Eye rubbing
- Cloudiness
- Puffiness/swelling
- Poor vision
Why Would My Dog Need Eye Drops? 8 Common Reasons
Even though our pups have a third eyelid that helps protect their eyes, they’re still at risk of irritation, infection, and other conditions that may require eye drops to heal or prevent further damage.
Here are some of the most common reasons dogs need eye drops.
1. Eye Irritations
Sometimes, our pups get debris or other irritants in their eyes, just like humans do. While pup owners can use Systane or Visine to relieve their eye irritation, those products aren’t safe for our pups. But a simple dog-friendly eye flush can clear out their eyes and provide relief.
2. Eye Infections
Dogs can develop eye infections from various causes, including bacteria, viruses, injuries, and foreign objects. Eye infections can lead to a serious condition called uveitis, an inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye (the middle part of the eye containing the iris).
The best dog eye drops for infection depend on the underlying cause. For example, canine antibiotic eye drops can help fight bacterial eye infections, but they are ineffective against viral infections.
3. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the eye and lines the eyelids (conjunctiva). Symptoms include redness, discharge, and squinting. It’s usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, allergies, trauma, or an irritating foreign object in the eye.
4. Allergies
If your dog has allergies to environmental irritants, such as dust mites, mold, pollen, grasses, etc., they may need eye drops to alleviate irritation, swelling, and itchiness. Some dogs suffer from seasonal allergies rather than year-round symptoms.
Not all dogs with allergies suffer from eye problems; skin issues are more common. Allergy eye drops for dogs can be either over-the-counter or prescription, depending on the severity of your pup’s symptoms.
5. Dry Eye
Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when the tear glands don’t produce enough tears, causing the cornea to dry out and become inflamed. It’s common in certain breeds, particularly brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, because their eyelids don’t close completely.
Other common causes include immune-mediated diseases that damage the tear glands (an inherited disorder that’s not well understood), systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism, and sulfa medications.
6. Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is a scratch or injury to the cornea, the outermost layer of the eye. This can occur from rough play, an animal scratch, running through tall brush, or coming into contact with sand, dirt, or another foreign object embedded under the eyelid, as well as other causes of eye injury.
Corneal ulcers can also develop in dogs with chronic dry eyes. They can be quite painful, causing your dog to squint and rub their eye.
7. Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when too little aqueous (eye) fluid drains from the eye. This fluid buildup causes swelling, pressure, and pain that can ultimately lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated.
Glaucoma eye drops can help reduce pressure and swelling, but many dogs will also require surgery.
8. Cataracts
A cataract is a cloudy area that forms in the normally clear lens of the eye. This clouding prevents light from passing normally through the lens to the back of the eye, resulting in blurry vision. Cataracts in dogs are often genetic but can also be caused by trauma or metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
There are currently no cataract eye drops for dogs that have been conclusively proven to delay the progression of the disease; surgery is the only viable treatment option. Vets sometimes prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to relieve pain and swelling.
Types Of Canine Eye Drops
Some of the conditions I mentioned above can require one or more of the types of eye drops I review below.
The two main kinds of eye drops for dogs are over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, which may or may not contain medication, and eye drops that typically require a prescription from your vet for more serious ocular problems.
6 Best OTC Eye Drops For Dogs
Fortunately, many eye drops for dogs are available without a prescription. But if your furry friend is experiencing chronic red eyes, excessive discharge, or cloudy eyes, or if you think their eye has been injured, see your vet as soon as possible.
Your vet can help identify the problem and determine the treatment your pup needs.
1. Saline Eye Drops For Dogs: Burt’s Bees Eye Wash Review
Gentle and safe for pups, saline eye washes are used to flush out dirt and debris. They can also help with mild allergies, but aren’t effective for infections or more severe conditions. Still, they’re often recommended by vets as a first line of defense to gently clean eyes before administering other eye drops or gels.
Price
- $10.99 ($1.37 / Ounce) (2 pack, 4 fl. oz each)
2. Lubricating Drops For Dry Eyes: I-DROP VET PLUS Review
Your vet may recommend OTC lubricating eye drops in conjunction with prescription drops to treat keratoconjunctivitis sicca and other conditions that cause dry eyes. I-DROP VET PLUS helps comfort dry, itchy, and irritated eyes, which may also help dogs with mild to moderate allergies.
The active ingredient in these drops is 0.25% viscoadaptive hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid), which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture. If you prefer eye gel to drops, OptixCare Pet Eye Lube Plus is a fantastic alternative.
Price
- $21.59 ($65.42 / Fl Oz) (0.33 fl. oz)
3. Allergy Eye Drops For Dogs: Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash Review
Other OTC eye drops formulated for dogs may provide better relief from allergy symptoms than saline or lubricating drops; however, consult your veterinarian before using them. Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash is an excellent product to use as anti-inflammatory eye drops for dogs suffering from allergy symptoms.
Price
- $15.99 (3 fl. oz)
4. Dog Eye Drops For Mild Pink Eye: Curicyn Pink Eye Solution Review
Curicyn Pink Eye Solution is a go-to for many pup owners who are worried about their pup’s bloodshot eyes. It offers an antibiotic and steroid-free eye wash that contains 96% purified acolyte water.
This ingredient is a mild antiseptic that helps to cleanse the eye, reduce inflammation, and potentially kill bacteria, making it useful for conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye). Still, consult your vet first if you think your pup may have pink eye.
Price
- $9.75 ($3.25 / Fl Oz) (3 fl. oz)
5. Dog Eye Drops For Infections: Terramycin Review
A select few OTC antibiotic eye drops and gels, like Terramycin Antibiotic Ointment, can help treat certain eye infections in pets. However, we recommend consulting your veterinarian for a diagnosis before attempting to treat an infection on your own.
Some infections won’t respond to antibiotics and require a different type of treatment, so it’s best to get your vet’s expert advice.
Price
- $39.99 ($39.99 / Count) (3.5 gram tube)
6. Eye Drops For Tear Stains: Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse For Dogs Review
Tear stains, those unsightly reddish streaks under a dog’s eyes, are, unfortunately, part of life for some breeds, such as Shih Tzus, Maltese, Poodles, and more.
Many pup owners find Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse for Dogs highly effective in reducing and even preventing tear stains. It also works well to soften crustiness around the eyes and as a general eye flush to remove debris and redness.
Price
- $9.99 ($2.50 / Fl Oz) (4 fl. oz)
When It’s Time For Your Vet: Prescription Eye Drops For Dogs
Depending on your pup’s eye problem, your vet may prescribe one or more of these types of ophthalmic drops.
- Canine antibiotic eye drops are prescribed to treat bacterial infections and conjunctivitis caused by bacteria. Common eye drops for dog conjunctivitis and bacterial infections include ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, or triple-antibiotic ophthalmic ointments.
- Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops, such as ketorolac (brand names: Acular, Acuvail), help relieve swelling and pain associated with corneal ulceration, uveitis, and trauma, as well as following ocular surgery.
- Steroid eye drops for dogs, which reduce inflammation and relieve pain, may be prescribed for severe allergies and conjunctivitis. The most common are prednisolone and dexamethasone. Steroid drops, however, can be harmful to corneal ulcers.
- Eye drops for canine glaucomas, such as dorzolamide or timolol, reduce the fluid and lower the eye pressure.
Other Common Drops Your Vet May Prescribe
- Cyclosporine eye drops for dogs (brand names: Restasis and Optimmune), an immunosuppressant, are prescribed to treat chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
- Tacrolimus is another prescription eye drop for dogs, like cyclosporine, that can help increase tear production for dogs suffering from dry eye.
- Ofloxacin eye drops for dogs can treat infections caused by certain strains of bacteria in conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers.
- Neo-Poly-Dex ophthalmic drops or ointment is a combination of antibiotics and steroids commonly prescribed for eye infections and inflammation in dogs.
- Atropine sulfate ophthalmic preparations are used to dilate pupils, control eye pain from corneal ulcers and uveitis, and for other uses.
What About Lanosterol Eye Drops For Dogs?
Has your vet diagnosed your dog with cataracts? Surgery is the only definitive treatment for this progressive condition that robs your dog’s vision fairly quickly.
However, some OTC eye drop manufacturers claim that their lanosterol drops (e.g., Plush Paws Products Advanced Lanosterol Solution + NAC, Lanomax, LumenPro, etc.) can help maintain your pup’s vision and clear up the cataract cloudiness.
Lanosterol eye drops alone haven’t been proven to live up to these promises; studies are ongoing. We urge you to discuss the use of these drops with your veterinarian. Many veterinary professionals express concerns about the lack of robust scientific evidence and that owners will delay much-needed, effective surgery.
Additionally, the FDA sent a warning letter in 2023 to the manufacturer of Lanomax Lanosterol Eye Drops for dogs for marketing an unapproved veterinary drug, noting a lack of demonstrated safety and efficacy.
What Does The Research Say?
OTC lanosterol eye drops are largely based on the results of a study published in Nature in 2015 and an article in Science about the findings. In the study, researchers found that lanosterol, a biomolecule, could possibly be effective in treating cataracts based on their experiments in rabbits and dogs.
However, as many experts point out, this study didn’t show that lanosterol eye drops by themselves could treat cataracts. In the rabbits, they covered dissected cataractous lenses in a lanosterol solution and didn’t treat the rabbits directly with eye drops. And the dogs first received injections of lanosterol into their eye cavities before getting lanosterol eye drops for six weeks.
Can You Use Human Eye Drops On Dogs?
Can you use Visine on dogs? What about other human eye drops? Any type of medicated human eye drop is off-limits for dogs. Some saline or lubricating drops for humans may be okay, but always check with your veterinarian before administering any product made for humans to your pup.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Eye Conditions?
Yes, most pet insurance plans cover eye conditions, as long as the symptoms didn’t appear before you enrolled or during the waiting period.
How To Give A Dog Eye Drops (Video)
Applying dog eye drops or ointment can be challenging if your canine companion isn’t cooperating. When you run into problems getting eye medication into your pup’s eyes, follow the steps in this helpful four-minute video.
Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a veterinarian in Boca Raton, FL, demonstrates how to put eye drops in a dog and gives you tips on how to check your dog’s eyes for any problems.
Keeping Your Dog’s Eyes Healthy
Early treatment is key with any kind of eye problem to maintain your furry friend’s vision and eye health, but not all conditions can be treated with eye drops.
See our comprehensive guide on dog eye problems to learn about other eye conditions your pup may develop. It’s also important to clean your dog’s eyes regularly and protect them with dog goggles in situations when wind or debris damage may occur.
