Maxidex Ophthalmic Suspension
Maxidex (dexamethasone) is positioned as a best-in-class topical steroid for veterinary use because it delivers potent anti‑inflammatory action in a suspension formulation that many clinicians find effective for canine anterior uveitis and allergic ocular disease. Compared with Pred Forte it is often seen as a more cost‑efficient steroid option with excellent anti‑inflammatory potency, while its steroid class necessitates careful avoidance in corneal ulceration where NSAID options on this list would be safer.
Potent steroid relief
Swift redness reduction
Potent steroid relief
Swift redness reduction
Review Summary
"Users report rapid reduction in ocular inflammation and improved comfort with consistent use; some note temporary stinging on instillation and express caution about long-term steroid use, but most find it effective."
Spa-like comfort
Contains dexamethasone, a potent topical corticosteroid for rapid reduction of ocular inflammation.
Spa-like comfort
Contains dexamethasone, a potent topical corticosteroid for rapid reduction of ocular inflammation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Maxidex (dexamethasone) is positioned as a best-in-class topical steroid for veterinary use because it delivers potent anti‑inflammatory action in a suspension formulation that many clinicians find effective for canine anterior uveitis and allergic ocular disease. Compared with Pred Forte it is often seen as a more cost‑efficient steroid option with excellent anti‑inflammatory potency, while its steroid class necessitates careful avoidance in corneal ulceration where NSAID options on this list would be safer.
Potent steroid relief
Swift redness reduction
Spa-like comfort
Contains dexamethasone, a potent topical corticosteroid for rapid reduction of ocular inflammation.
Typically fast‑acting for acute inflammatory conditions but contraindicated with corneal ulcers or untreated infections.
Potent steroid relief
Swift redness reduction
Spa-like comfort
Contains dexamethasone, a potent topical corticosteroid for rapid reduction of ocular inflammation.
Typically fast‑acting for acute inflammatory conditions but contraindicated with corneal ulcers or untreated infections.
$10-35 CAD
Pred Forte 1% Eye Drops
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a market leader for severe intraocular inflammation and postoperative control in dogs because of its strong tissue penetration and established clinical profile; many veterinary ophthalmologists prefer it for intense uveitic cases. It tends to be pricier than Maxidex but can offer superior control in select cases; as with other steroids on the list it is technically contraindicated when corneal integrity is compromised, where diclofenac or ketorolac provide safer anti‑inflammatory alternatives.
Strong anti-inflammatory
Calms ocular pain
Strong anti-inflammatory
Calms ocular pain
Review Summary
"Widely praised for strong, fast anti-inflammatory effects and clear symptom relief; occasional reports of transient burning and concerns over prolonged steroid exposure, yet the majority rate it highly."
Vet-trusted classic
Prednisolone acetate 1% suspension provides strong anti‑inflammatory effects for anterior segment inflammation.
Vet-trusted classic
Prednisolone acetate 1% suspension provides strong anti‑inflammatory effects for anterior segment inflammation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a market leader for severe intraocular inflammation and postoperative control in dogs because of its strong tissue penetration and established clinical profile; many veterinary ophthalmologists prefer it for intense uveitic cases. It tends to be pricier than Maxidex but can offer superior control in select cases; as with other steroids on the list it is technically contraindicated when corneal integrity is compromised, where diclofenac or ketorolac provide safer anti‑inflammatory alternatives.
Strong anti-inflammatory
Calms ocular pain
Vet-trusted classic
Prednisolone acetate 1% suspension provides strong anti‑inflammatory effects for anterior segment inflammation.
Requires shaking before use to re‑suspend medication for consistent dosing.
Strong anti-inflammatory
Calms ocular pain
Vet-trusted classic
Prednisolone acetate 1% suspension provides strong anti‑inflammatory effects for anterior segment inflammation.
Requires shaking before use to re‑suspend medication for consistent dosing.
$20-45 CAD
Diclofenac Sodium Ophthalmic Solution
Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution is the non‑steroidal, cost‑effective choice favored when steroid use is contraindicated in dogs (for example with corneal ulcers) because it reduces inflammation and pain without the immunosuppressive risks of corticosteroids. Compared with ketorolac/Acular it is often available as lower‑cost generics with broad availability, though NSAIDs are generally less potent than steroids for severe intraocular inflammation.
Non-steroidal relief
Targets corneal pain
Non-steroidal relief
Targets corneal pain
Review Summary
"Appreciated as a steroid-sparing anti-inflammatory option with fewer steroid-related risks, but users report more variable effectiveness and some initial irritation or discomfort."
Lens-friendly wink
Diclofenac is a topical NSAID that reduces prostaglandin‑mediated ocular inflammation and pain.
Lens-friendly wink
Diclofenac is a topical NSAID that reduces prostaglandin‑mediated ocular inflammation and pain.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution is the non‑steroidal, cost‑effective choice favored when steroid use is contraindicated in dogs (for example with corneal ulcers) because it reduces inflammation and pain without the immunosuppressive risks of corticosteroids. Compared with ketorolac/Acular it is often available as lower‑cost generics with broad availability, though NSAIDs are generally less potent than steroids for severe intraocular inflammation.
Non-steroidal relief
Targets corneal pain
Lens-friendly wink
Diclofenac is a topical NSAID that reduces prostaglandin‑mediated ocular inflammation and pain.
Useful when steroid use is undesirable, such as with some corneal surface diseases where steroids may delay healing.
Non-steroidal relief
Targets corneal pain
Lens-friendly wink
Diclofenac is a topical NSAID that reduces prostaglandin‑mediated ocular inflammation and pain.
Useful when steroid use is undesirable, such as with some corneal surface diseases where steroids may delay healing.
$35-80 CAD
Neo Poly Dex Ophthalmic Suspension
Neo-Poly-Dex combines a topical steroid with broad‑spectrum antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B plus dexamethasone), offering a convenient single‑bottle solution for dogs with concurrent bacterial infection and inflammation and reducing overall prescription complexity and dispensing costs. Its financial and practical advantage over single‑agent drops is clear when both antibiotic and anti‑inflammatory therapy are required, but it is inappropriate where corneal ulceration is suspected and where targeted antibiotic selection is preferred.
Antibiotic+steroid combo
Broad infection control
Antibiotic+steroid combo
Broad infection control
Review Summary
"Valued for combining antibiotic and steroid action to treat inflammatory infections; reviewers report generally good results though some experience irritation and worry about antibiotic overuse."
Triple-threat sparkle
Combination of topical antibiotic (neomycin/polymyxin B) with dexamethasone treats inflammation when bacterial infection is suspected.
Triple-threat sparkle
Combination of topical antibiotic (neomycin/polymyxin B) with dexamethasone treats inflammation when bacterial infection is suspected.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Neo-Poly-Dex combines a topical steroid with broad‑spectrum antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B plus dexamethasone), offering a convenient single‑bottle solution for dogs with concurrent bacterial infection and inflammation and reducing overall prescription complexity and dispensing costs. Its financial and practical advantage over single‑agent drops is clear when both antibiotic and anti‑inflammatory therapy are required, but it is inappropriate where corneal ulceration is suspected and where targeted antibiotic selection is preferred.
Antibiotic+steroid combo
Broad infection control
Triple-threat sparkle
Combination of topical antibiotic (neomycin/polymyxin B) with dexamethasone treats inflammation when bacterial infection is suspected.
Convenient single‑bottle therapy for inflammatory conditions with an infectious component in dogs.
Antibiotic+steroid combo
Broad infection control
Triple-threat sparkle
Combination of topical antibiotic (neomycin/polymyxin B) with dexamethasone treats inflammation when bacterial infection is suspected.
Convenient single‑bottle therapy for inflammatory conditions with an infectious component in dogs.
$12-40 CAD
Ketorolac Tromethamine 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution
Ketorolac (marketed as Acular) is a veterinary‑useable NSAID commonly chosen for postoperative ocular pain control and chronic inflammatory conditions in dogs because it provides effective analgesia and anti‑inflammatory effects without steroid‑related risks. Although often more expensive than some generic NSAIDs, ketorolac is favored for ocular surface comfort and as a steroid‑sparing agent—making it a practical alternative when avoiding corticosteroids is clinically indicated.
Rapid pain relief
Minimal steroid risk
Rapid pain relief
Minimal steroid risk
Review Summary
"Reported to control inflammation without steroid-associated risks and be useful post-operatively, though many users note stinging on application and a slower onset compared with steroids."
Clear-vision boost
Ketorolac 0.5% provides non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects for ocular pain and post‑operative inflammation.
Clear-vision boost
Ketorolac 0.5% provides non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects for ocular pain and post‑operative inflammation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Ketorolac (marketed as Acular) is a veterinary‑useable NSAID commonly chosen for postoperative ocular pain control and chronic inflammatory conditions in dogs because it provides effective analgesia and anti‑inflammatory effects without steroid‑related risks. Although often more expensive than some generic NSAIDs, ketorolac is favored for ocular surface comfort and as a steroid‑sparing agent—making it a practical alternative when avoiding corticosteroids is clinically indicated.
Rapid pain relief
Minimal steroid risk
Clear-vision boost
Ketorolac 0.5% provides non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects for ocular pain and post‑operative inflammation.
Does not carry steroid‑related risks like delayed wound healing, making it useful in some post‑surgical canine patients.
Rapid pain relief
Minimal steroid risk
Clear-vision boost
Ketorolac 0.5% provides non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects for ocular pain and post‑operative inflammation.
Does not carry steroid‑related risks like delayed wound healing, making it useful in some post‑surgical canine patients.
$25-60 CAD