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Veterinary Expert Guide: Top 5 Prescription Ocular Lubricants & Tear Replacers for Dogs in Canada — 2025 Options (Optixcare, I-Drop Vet, Remend, Viscotears, Systane) — Which Is Best for Chronic KCS or Post‑Op Comfort?

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Prescription ocular lubricants and tear replacers are formulated to relieve dry eye and support corneal health in dogs, including gel, ointment and preservative-free options. This category focuses on veterinary-grade products for chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and postoperative comfort. Pet owners and veterinary professionals prefer these products because they combine targeted lubrication, corneal protection and compatibility with concurrent therapies (for example, immunomodulators or antibiotics). In Canada the market favors preservative-free formulations and long-acting gels that reduce dosing frequency, plus single-dose packaging to lower contamination risk. Consumer choices are driven by clinical need (severity of KCS or surgery type), ease of administration, dosing schedule, tolerance to preservatives, price and availability through Canadian veterinary clinics and licensed online pharmacies.

Quick Menu

1. Best Veterinary Ointment

2. Best Preservative-Free Vet Drops

3. Best Corneal Repair Formula

4. Best Long-Lasting Gel (OTC)

5. Best Widely Available Lubricant

1
BEST VETERINARY OINTMENT

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus

Aventix

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is positioned as a veterinary-specific lubricant designed for canine ocular comfort and protection, offering a thicker, ointment-like gel that creates durable surface coating suitable for frequent use in dogs. Compared with the other products on this list, Optixcare's veterinary-focused formulation and tube packaging make it a cost-effective option for long-term management, trading some immediate visual clarity for extended surface retention that many clinicians prefer for maintenance therapy.

4.8
★★★★☆

  • Long-lasting moisture

  • Vet-formulated shield

  • Long-lasting moisture

  • Vet-formulated shield

Review Summary

95%

"Users consistently praise Optixcare Eye Lube Plus for its long-lasting, veterinary-grade lubrication that soothes severe dry eye and corneal issues; a minority mention the price and bulky dispenser as downsides."

  • Overnight snooze-proof

  • Veterinary-grade lubricant ointment providing long-lasting ocular protection for exposure and lubrication.

  • Overnight snooze-proof

  • Veterinary-grade lubricant ointment providing long-lasting ocular protection for exposure and lubrication.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is positioned as a veterinary-specific lubricant designed for canine ocular comfort and protection, offering a thicker, ointment-like gel that creates durable surface coating suitable for frequent use in dogs. Compared with the other products on this list, Optixcare's veterinary-focused formulation and tube packaging make it a cost-effective option for long-term management, trading some immediate visual clarity for extended surface retention that many clinicians prefer for maintenance therapy.

  • Long-lasting moisture

  • Vet-formulated shield

  • Overnight snooze-proof

  • Veterinary-grade lubricant ointment providing long-lasting ocular protection for exposure and lubrication.

  • Preservative-free and sterile formulation appropriate for dogs, applied as an ointment for extended contact time.

  • Long-lasting moisture

  • Vet-formulated shield

  • Overnight snooze-proof

  • Veterinary-grade lubricant ointment providing long-lasting ocular protection for exposure and lubrication.

  • Preservative-free and sterile formulation appropriate for dogs, applied as an ointment for extended contact time.

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From 28.70$
2
BEST PRESERVATIVE-FREE VET DROPS

I-Drop Vet Plus

I-DROP

I-Drop Vet Plus is marketed as a veterinary-adapted drop formulation that balances lubrication with easy multi-dose dispensing for routine canine use, appealing to clinics that need straightforward dosing and wide availability. Relative to thicker gels and premium repair drops listed here, I-Drop Vet Plus tends to offer a middle ground of good ocular comfort, lower per-dose cost than some specialty repair products, and simpler integration into treatment plans where frequent rewetting is preferred.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Lightweight relief

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Lightweight relief

Review Summary

90%

"I-Drop Vet Plus is generally regarded as an effective, affordable veterinary tear substitute that provides good relief and easy application; a few users report mild irritation or needing frequent reapplication."

  • Puppy-approved wink

  • Preservative-free ophthalmic solution designed for veterinary use to minimize irritation with frequent dosing.

  • Puppy-approved wink

  • Preservative-free ophthalmic solution designed for veterinary use to minimize irritation with frequent dosing.

Increased Safety & Security

I-Drop Vet Plus is marketed as a veterinary-adapted drop formulation that balances lubrication with easy multi-dose dispensing for routine canine use, appealing to clinics that need straightforward dosing and wide availability. Relative to thicker gels and premium repair drops listed here, I-Drop Vet Plus tends to offer a middle ground of good ocular comfort, lower per-dose cost than some specialty repair products, and simpler integration into treatment plans where frequent rewetting is preferred.

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Lightweight relief

  • Puppy-approved wink

  • Preservative-free ophthalmic solution designed for veterinary use to minimize irritation with frequent dosing.

  • Often packaged in single-dose vials to reduce contamination risk and maintain sterility between applications.

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Lightweight relief

  • Puppy-approved wink

  • Preservative-free ophthalmic solution designed for veterinary use to minimize irritation with frequent dosing.

  • Often packaged in single-dose vials to reduce contamination risk and maintain sterility between applications.

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From 28.07$
3
BEST CORNEAL REPAIR FORMULA

Remend Corneal Repair Eye Drops

Remend Corneal Repair Eye Drops

Remend Corneal Repair Eye Drops are positioned as a prescription-grade option focused on supporting corneal healing processes rather than only surface lubrication, making them a go-to when clinicians prioritize repair-oriented therapy in canine corneal disease. Compared to general lubricants on this list, Remend typically carries a higher unit cost but offers technical advantages aimed at tissue support and recovery, so it is selected when clinical signs indicate a need beyond routine tear replacement.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Promotes corneal healing

  • Soothes painful eyes

  • Promotes corneal healing

  • Soothes painful eyes

Review Summary

88%

"Many owners report Remend Corneal Repair helps speed corneal healing and reduces discomfort for ulcers and abrasions, though some note variable results and emphasize it works best alongside veterinary care."

  • Repair-boost magic

  • Formulated specifically to support corneal epithelial healing and reduce corneal surface inflammation.

  • Repair-boost magic

  • Formulated specifically to support corneal epithelial healing and reduce corneal surface inflammation.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Remend Corneal Repair Eye Drops are positioned as a prescription-grade option focused on supporting corneal healing processes rather than only surface lubrication, making them a go-to when clinicians prioritize repair-oriented therapy in canine corneal disease. Compared to general lubricants on this list, Remend typically carries a higher unit cost but offers technical advantages aimed at tissue support and recovery, so it is selected when clinical signs indicate a need beyond routine tear replacement.

  • Promotes corneal healing

  • Soothes painful eyes

  • Repair-boost magic

  • Formulated specifically to support corneal epithelial healing and reduce corneal surface inflammation.

  • Veterinary prescription product indicated for corneal ulcers, erosions and compromised epithelial surfaces.

  • Promotes corneal healing

  • Soothes painful eyes

  • Repair-boost magic

  • Formulated specifically to support corneal epithelial healing and reduce corneal surface inflammation.

  • Veterinary prescription product indicated for corneal ulcers, erosions and compromised epithelial surfaces.

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$40-80 CAD

4
BEST LONG-LASTING GEL (OTC)

Viscotears Liquid Gel

Viscotears Liquid Gel

Viscotears Liquid Gel provides a liquid-to-gel hybrid formulation that delivers longer-lasting ocular surface protection with less immediate blurring than traditional ointments, making it attractive for dogs that need sustained lubrication without heavy residue. As an often off-label but widely used option in veterinary practice, Viscotears combines the manufacturing scale and distribution strength of a large pharmaceutical company with a mid-range price point, offering clinics a balance of durability and availability compared with niche veterinary-only products.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Gel-like cushion

  • Long-wear protection

  • Gel-like cushion

  • Long-wear protection

Review Summary

82%

"Viscotears Liquid Gel is praised for strong, long-lasting lubrication, but users commonly complain of temporary blurriness, stickiness, and a heavy gel feel after application."

  • Nighttime eye-blanket

  • Thicker gel formulation providing prolonged surface retention for overnight or long-interval relief.

  • Nighttime eye-blanket

  • Thicker gel formulation providing prolonged surface retention for overnight or long-interval relief.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Viscotears Liquid Gel provides a liquid-to-gel hybrid formulation that delivers longer-lasting ocular surface protection with less immediate blurring than traditional ointments, making it attractive for dogs that need sustained lubrication without heavy residue. As an often off-label but widely used option in veterinary practice, Viscotears combines the manufacturing scale and distribution strength of a large pharmaceutical company with a mid-range price point, offering clinics a balance of durability and availability compared with niche veterinary-only products.

  • Gel-like cushion

  • Long-wear protection

  • Nighttime eye-blanket

  • Thicker gel formulation providing prolonged surface retention for overnight or long-interval relief.

  • OTC human product commonly used in veterinary practice when extended lubrication is needed.

  • Gel-like cushion

  • Long-wear protection

  • Nighttime eye-blanket

  • Thicker gel formulation providing prolonged surface retention for overnight or long-interval relief.

  • OTC human product commonly used in veterinary practice when extended lubrication is needed.

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$10-25 CAD

5
BEST WIDELY AVAILABLE LUBRICANT

Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

Systane Ultra is a market-leading tear stabilizer originally developed for human dry eye that is commonly used under veterinary guidance for dogs needing high-performance tear film support; it is noted for its advanced formulation that improves comfort and retention. Compared with the veterinary-specific and repair-focused products in this list, Systane Ultra leverages large-scale R&D and distribution to deliver consistent quality and broad availability, though it can be a premium-priced option and is typically used when clinicians want a high-performing human formulation adapted for canine patients.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Fast-acting relief

  • Broad lubrication

  • Fast-acting relief

  • Broad lubrication

Review Summary

89%

"Systane Ultra is widely used for moderate dry eye and provides quick, noticeable relief and improved comfort; some users require frequent dosing and report transient stinging or blurred vision."

  • Blink-happy finish

  • Dual-action formula delivering immediate relief and extended moisture for dry ocular surfaces.

  • Blink-happy finish

  • Dual-action formula delivering immediate relief and extended moisture for dry ocular surfaces.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Systane Ultra is a market-leading tear stabilizer originally developed for human dry eye that is commonly used under veterinary guidance for dogs needing high-performance tear film support; it is noted for its advanced formulation that improves comfort and retention. Compared with the veterinary-specific and repair-focused products in this list, Systane Ultra leverages large-scale R&D and distribution to deliver consistent quality and broad availability, though it can be a premium-priced option and is typically used when clinicians want a high-performing human formulation adapted for canine patients.

  • Fast-acting relief

  • Broad lubrication

  • Blink-happy finish

  • Dual-action formula delivering immediate relief and extended moisture for dry ocular surfaces.

  • Widely available OTC brand often used as an adjunct or temporary measure in veterinary cases.

  • Fast-acting relief

  • Broad lubrication

  • Blink-happy finish

  • Dual-action formula delivering immediate relief and extended moisture for dry ocular surfaces.

  • Widely available OTC brand often used as an adjunct or temporary measure in veterinary cases.

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$15-30 CAD

What the Research Says — Evidence Behind Ocular Lubricants for Dogs

Veterinary ophthalmology research supports the use of ocular lubricants and tear replacers to protect the cornea, improve patient comfort and provide a supportive environment for healing. Studies in clinical and clinical-like settings show that regular application of lubricants can reduce corneal drying, help resolve superficial erosions and improve measured tear production and ocular surface health when used alongside disease-modifying drugs. Important principles backed by the literature include the benefits of preservative-free formulations for long-term use, the capacity of mucomimetic polymers (for example hyaluronic acid or cellulose derivatives) to retain moisture, and the role of ointments or gels in providing longer contact time for nighttime protection.

Preservative-free formulations reduce chronic ocular surface irritation and cytotoxicity with repeated dosing compared with preserved drops.

Mucomimetic and viscoelastic agents (hyaluronic acid, cellulose derivatives) increase tear film stability and prolong retention time on the cornea.

Gels and ointments provide longer protection between doses and are often recommended at night or for animals that cannot tolerate frequent instillation.

Adjunctive use of lubricants with immunomodulatory therapy (for example topical cyclosporine or tacrolimus prescribed by a veterinarian) improves clinical outcomes in chronic KCS more than immunomodulation alone.

Single-dose vials and unit-dose formats lower contamination risk and are recommended for post-operative care and for immunocompromised patients.

In Canada in 2025, veterinary prescription ocular lubricants and tear replacers remain a core part of managing dry eye and post-operative ocular comfort in dogs. The five products highlighted on this page — Optixcare Eye Lube Plus, I-Drop Vet Plus, Remend Corneal Repair Eye Drops, Viscotears Liquid Gel, and Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops — cover a range of formulation types (preservative-free single doses, long-acting gels and multi-dose lubricants) to match different clinical needs and owner preferences. For most chronic KCS cases and broad clinical use where veterinary clinicians want a balance of efficacy, tolerability and availability across Canadian practices, I-Drop Vet Plus is often the best overall choice; however, Optixcare Eye Lube Plus, Remend, Viscotears and Systane each have specific strengths for post-op care, long‑acting lubrication or budget-conscious plans. We hope you found the guidance you were looking for — refine or expand your search using the site search to compare dosages, packaging and where to buy within Canada.

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