How to Clean Your Pet's Eyes

How to Clean Your Pet’s Eyes

There are many easy ways to keep your pet’s eyes clean on a daily basis, or when healing from surgery.  It is important to keep the area around the eyes clean so that normal discharge and commensal (‘normal’) bacteria do not build up and begin to contaminate an area in which they do not belong.  Most animals will actually enjoy having the area around their eyes kept clean, and it is important to remember that although their paws (and toenails) can harm the surface of their eyes and their surgical sites, your fingers cannot harm them during cleaning!

1—OPTIXCARE WIPES

            These are commercially produced veterinary ophthalmic cleansing wipes that can be purchased directly from your veterinary ophthalmologist, and also often from amazon.com, and occasionally from other retailers, without a prescription.  These cleansing wipes help to dissolve debris, and will not harm the surface of the eye if incidental contact is made.  They are soft and non-abrasive, and leave no residue behind.

2—LID N’LASH WIPES

            These are also commercially produced veterinary ophthalmic cleansing wipes that may be purchased directly from your veterinary ophthalmologist, that are occasionally available from your primary care veterinarian, or through other retailers.  They are used to dissolve debris, and will not harm the surface of the eye if incidental contact is made.  They are shaped like an acne cleansing pad, and have a more copious amount of cleaning solution for heavier cleansing.

3—LID N’LASH GEL

            This commercially produced veterinary ophthalmic cleansing gel can be purchased directly through your veterinary ophthalmologist, and occasionally through your primary care veterinarian or other retailers.  This gel is applied directly to the fur, or to a gauze pad or tissue that is then applied to the fur.  This allows you to control the amount of product that is applied, and to saturate a heavily crusted area for maximum penetration.  The surface of the eye is not harmed by contact with the gel.

4—STERILE SALINE EYE WASH

            This can be purchased over the counter, and can be used to rinse the surface of the eyes copiously and frequently.  It is recommended that eye wash be used 10—15 minutes PRIOR to the application of topical eye solutions or ointments.  If you rinse the eyes too closely to the administration of medications, this may incidentally encourage the medications to run down the tear drainage system (and prevent proper contact between the medication and the surface of the eye).  CAUTION:  DO NOT USE CONTACT LENS SOLUTION!  Contact lens solution contains enzymes that are harmful to the surface of the eye.

5—WARM, WET COMPRESS

             A clean, warm, wet washcloth, paper towel, or gauze pad can be applied to the eye for 5—15 minutes, 2—4 times daily.  The warmth will soothe spasming, relax muscles, and bring healthy blood supply to the area.  The wetness will help to soften crusting, and will allow you to slowly remove debris from the area.

The key when cleaning around the eyes, no matter which method (or combination of methods) that you choose, is to apply your cleanser or compress, be patient, and attempt to remove discharge/debris at the very end when things are soft and less adherent.  Always remember to reinforce cleaning time with a treat, gentle behavior, and positive, kind language!