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Top 5 Veterinary Prescription Diagnostic Ophthalmic Agents for Dogs in Canada (2025) — Clinician-Approved Picks to Improve Tear, Cornea & Pupil Assessment

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Diagnostic ophthalmic agents for dogs encompass prescription stains, topical anesthetics and mydriatics used by veterinarians to evaluate tear film, corneal integrity, pupil function and to facilitate accurate intraocular pressure measurement. In Canadian clinics this category is appealing because it supports fast, objective decision-making during routine exams, emergency visits and preoperative assessments. Clinics and veterinary professionals prioritize products that are validated in practice, easy to handle (strips or single-dose vials), have clear regulatory status in Canada, and minimize patient stress. Pet owners value reliable diagnostics that reduce the risk of delayed or missed ocular disease while enabling timely, targeted treatment.

Quick Menu

1. Best Corneal Integrity Dye

2. Best Tear-Production Test

3. Best Mydriatic for Exams

4. Best Topical Ophthalmic Anesthetic

5. Best Surface Staining Agent

1
BEST CORNEAL INTEGRITY DYE

Fluorescein Sodium Ophthalmic Strips USP

VetFluor Fluorescein Sodium Ophthalmic Strips USP

VetFluor is positioned as the market-leading fluorescein strip for veterinary use in dogs because it delivers a consistent, standardized 1 mg dye load per strip with sterile, single-use packaging that minimizes contamination risk and waste. Compared with the other diagnostics in this list, VetFluor offers the quickest and most cost-effective screening for corneal epithelial defects and foreign bodies, making it an economical frontline test that pairs well with Schirmer and Rose Bengal testing for comprehensive ocular assessment.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Highlights corneas

  • Instant fluorescent glow

  • Highlights corneas

  • Instant fluorescent glow

Review Summary

93%

"Users (veterinarians and techs) consistently praise fluorescein strips as simple, reliable, and highly effective for detecting corneal defects and tear-film problems; complaints are rare and usually limited to packaging or individual strip drying."

  • Single-use convenience

  • Single-use sterile strips for rapid corneal ulcer and abrasion detection

  • Single-use convenience

  • Single-use sterile strips for rapid corneal ulcer and abrasion detection

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

VetFluor is positioned as the market-leading fluorescein strip for veterinary use in dogs because it delivers a consistent, standardized 1 mg dye load per strip with sterile, single-use packaging that minimizes contamination risk and waste. Compared with the other diagnostics in this list, VetFluor offers the quickest and most cost-effective screening for corneal epithelial defects and foreign bodies, making it an economical frontline test that pairs well with Schirmer and Rose Bengal testing for comprehensive ocular assessment.

  • Highlights corneas

  • Instant fluorescent glow

  • Single-use convenience

  • Single-use sterile strips for rapid corneal ulcer and abrasion detection

  • Bright green fluorescence under cobalt-blue light enables easy visualization

  • Highlights corneas

  • Instant fluorescent glow

  • Single-use convenience

  • Single-use sterile strips for rapid corneal ulcer and abrasion detection

  • Bright green fluorescence under cobalt-blue light enables easy visualization

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$10-30 CAD

2
BEST TEAR-PRODUCTION TEST

Schirmer Tear Test Strips

TearSure Schirmer Tear Test Strips

TearSure is considered best-in-class for Schirmer tear testing in dogs due to its calibrated, highly absorbent paper and clear graduation marks, which improve reproducibility of tear production measurements in practice. Financially efficient in multi-test clinics, TearSure complements fluorescein and Rose Bengal diagnostics by quantifying aqueous tear deficiency—its low per-test cost and consistent manufacturing reduce repeat testing compared with lower-quality strips.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Measures tear output

  • Paper strip simplicity

  • Measures tear output

  • Paper strip simplicity

Review Summary

86%

"Schirmer tear test strips are widely regarded as a straightforward, useful screening tool for tear production with generally consistent results, though some users note variability between tests and sensitivity to technique."

  • Little tear gauge

  • Calibrated paper strips quantify tear production in millimetres per minute

  • Little tear gauge

  • Calibrated paper strips quantify tear production in millimetres per minute

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

TearSure is considered best-in-class for Schirmer tear testing in dogs due to its calibrated, highly absorbent paper and clear graduation marks, which improve reproducibility of tear production measurements in practice. Financially efficient in multi-test clinics, TearSure complements fluorescein and Rose Bengal diagnostics by quantifying aqueous tear deficiency—its low per-test cost and consistent manufacturing reduce repeat testing compared with lower-quality strips.

  • Measures tear output

  • Paper strip simplicity

  • Little tear gauge

  • Calibrated paper strips quantify tear production in millimetres per minute

  • Simple, quick in‑clinic diagnostic for screening canine dry eye (KCS)

  • Measures tear output

  • Paper strip simplicity

  • Little tear gauge

  • Calibrated paper strips quantify tear production in millimetres per minute

  • Simple, quick in‑clinic diagnostic for screening canine dry eye (KCS)

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$10-40 CAD

3
BEST MYDRIATIC FOR EXAMS

Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution 1%

MyDriVet Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution 1%
🏠 Local Product

MyDriVet Tropicamide 1% is the veterinary market leader for pupillary dilation in canine ophthalmic exams because it achieves rapid mydriasis with a short to moderate duration, facilitating thorough fundic inspection without the prolonged recovery that atropine products can cause. Technically optimized for predictable onset and minimal systemic absorption, MyDriVet pairs effectively with proparacaine for patient comfort and with fluorescein for combined anterior and posterior segment evaluation while remaining competitively priced for referral and general practices.

4
★★★★☆

  • Rapid pupil dilation

  • Short-acting drops

  • Rapid pupil dilation

  • Short-acting drops

Review Summary

79%

"Tropicamide 1% is commonly reported as an effective mydriatic for canine ophthalmic exams with predictable onset, but reviewers note short duration in some patients and occasional transient side effects."

  • Pupil party

  • Short-acting muscarinic antagonist used to dilate the pupil for fundic examination

  • Pupil party

  • Short-acting muscarinic antagonist used to dilate the pupil for fundic examination

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

MyDriVet Tropicamide 1% is the veterinary market leader for pupillary dilation in canine ophthalmic exams because it achieves rapid mydriasis with a short to moderate duration, facilitating thorough fundic inspection without the prolonged recovery that atropine products can cause. Technically optimized for predictable onset and minimal systemic absorption, MyDriVet pairs effectively with proparacaine for patient comfort and with fluorescein for combined anterior and posterior segment evaluation while remaining competitively priced for referral and general practices.

  • Rapid pupil dilation

  • Short-acting drops

  • Pupil party

  • Short-acting muscarinic antagonist used to dilate the pupil for fundic examination

  • Rapid onset within minutes with an exam-appropriate duration in dogs

  • Rapid pupil dilation

  • Short-acting drops

  • Pupil party

  • Short-acting muscarinic antagonist used to dilate the pupil for fundic examination

  • Rapid onset within minutes with an exam-appropriate duration in dogs

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$25-60 CAD

4
BEST TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC ANESTHETIC

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%

PropaCare Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%

PropaCare Proparacaine 0.5% is the preferred topical anesthetic for canine ophthalmic diagnostics because it provides fast-acting surface anesthesia with reliable corneal penetration and low irritation, streamlining procedures such as tonometry and foreign body removal. Technically superior in terms of onset and duration balance versus older anesthetics, PropaCare reduces handling time and labor costs in clinics and enhances the accuracy of downstream tests like fluorescein staining and Schirmer measurements.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Fast topical numbing

  • Eases exam comfort

  • Fast topical numbing

  • Eases exam comfort

Review Summary

90%

"Proparacaine 0.5% is highly regarded for providing rapid, reliable topical anesthesia for diagnostic and minor procedures; users value its effectiveness though single-use vial handling and potential patient sensitivity are occasional drawbacks."

  • Calm breeze

  • Rapid-onset local anesthetic for procedures like tonometry and foreign body removal

  • Calm breeze

  • Rapid-onset local anesthetic for procedures like tonometry and foreign body removal

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

PropaCare Proparacaine 0.5% is the preferred topical anesthetic for canine ophthalmic diagnostics because it provides fast-acting surface anesthesia with reliable corneal penetration and low irritation, streamlining procedures such as tonometry and foreign body removal. Technically superior in terms of onset and duration balance versus older anesthetics, PropaCare reduces handling time and labor costs in clinics and enhances the accuracy of downstream tests like fluorescein staining and Schirmer measurements.

  • Fast topical numbing

  • Eases exam comfort

  • Calm breeze

  • Rapid-onset local anesthetic for procedures like tonometry and foreign body removal

  • Provides short-duration corneal anesthesia to minimize discomfort during diagnostics

  • Fast topical numbing

  • Eases exam comfort

  • Calm breeze

  • Rapid-onset local anesthetic for procedures like tonometry and foreign body removal

  • Provides short-duration corneal anesthesia to minimize discomfort during diagnostics

Order Now

$20-50 CAD

5
BEST SURFACE STAINING AGENT

Rose Bengal Ophthalmic Strips

RoseGuard Rose Bengal Ophthalmic Strips

RoseGuard Rose Bengal strips are recognized as the market-leading option for identifying devitalized or mucin-deficient corneal and conjunctival cells in dogs, offering a consistent dye release and single-use sterile format that helps limit cross-contamination. While pricier than fluorescein and Schirmer strips, RoseGuard provides diagnostic value in cases where fluorescein is negative but clinical suspicion remains (e.g., early keratoconjunctivitis), making it a high-yield, targeted investment in complex or refractory ocular cases.

3.8
★★★☆☆

  • Reveals devitalized cells

  • Mucin deficiency detection

  • Reveals devitalized cells

  • Mucin deficiency detection

Review Summary

72%

"Rose Bengal strips are appreciated for detecting devitalized or dysplastic epithelial cells, but many users report stinging on application and prefer fluorescein for routine corneal work, leading to more mixed opinions."

  • Pink staining flair

  • Stains devitalized or mucin-deficient ocular surface cells to identify ocular surface disease

  • Pink staining flair

  • Stains devitalized or mucin-deficient ocular surface cells to identify ocular surface disease

Increased Safety & Security

Skill Development & Mastery

RoseGuard Rose Bengal strips are recognized as the market-leading option for identifying devitalized or mucin-deficient corneal and conjunctival cells in dogs, offering a consistent dye release and single-use sterile format that helps limit cross-contamination. While pricier than fluorescein and Schirmer strips, RoseGuard provides diagnostic value in cases where fluorescein is negative but clinical suspicion remains (e.g., early keratoconjunctivitis), making it a high-yield, targeted investment in complex or refractory ocular cases.

  • Reveals devitalized cells

  • Mucin deficiency detection

  • Pink staining flair

  • Stains devitalized or mucin-deficient ocular surface cells to identify ocular surface disease

  • Useful adjunct to fluorescein for comprehensive assessment of corneal epithelial health

  • Reveals devitalized cells

  • Mucin deficiency detection

  • Pink staining flair

  • Stains devitalized or mucin-deficient ocular surface cells to identify ocular surface disease

  • Useful adjunct to fluorescein for comprehensive assessment of corneal epithelial health

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$25-60 CAD

What the Research and Clinical Guidance Show

A body of veterinary ophthalmology literature and clinical guidance supports the use of these diagnostic agents when used correctly by trained professionals. Evidence covers the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of stains, the reliability of tear testing methods, and safety profiles for topical anesthetics and mydriatics. For best outcomes, clinicians combine test results with history and slit-lamp or direct ophthalmoscopy findings.

Corneal fluorescein staining is a long-established, sensitive method for detecting epithelial defects and surface ulcers; it remains the first-line corneal test in veterinary practice.

Schirmer tear test strips are widely validated to quantify aqueous tear production; results should be interpreted in the context of species-specific reference ranges and clinical signs.

Rose Bengal stain highlights devitalized epithelium and can aid in diagnosing certain viral or mucin-deficient conditions, though it is less comfortable for patients and is used selectively.

Topical mydriatics such as tropicamide 1% produce short-duration pupil dilation suitable for fundic exams; published reports support safe use under controlled conditions in healthy patients.

Topical anesthetics like proparacaine 0.5% facilitate tonometry and reduce reflex blinking, but repeated use can delay epithelial healing, so they are reserved for diagnostic procedures and not for long-term therapy.

In the Canadian context, these veterinary prescription diagnostic ophthalmic agents — Fluorescein Sodium Ophthalmic Strips USP, Schirmer Tear Test Strips, Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution 1%, Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, and Rose Bengal Ophthalmic Strips — form the core toolkit for accurate ocular assessment in dogs. For most clinics and first-line evaluation, Fluorescein Sodium Ophthalmic Strips USP is the most versatile and immediately informative product on this list. We hope you found the guidance you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search for specific brands, dosing formats or Canadian regulatory information using the site search.

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