Optimmune Ophthalmic Ointment
Optimmune (cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment) is best-in-class for chronic veterinary ophthalmic allergy in dogs because it provides a licensed, veterinary-specific, steroid-sparing immunomodulatory option with a long-acting ointment vehicle that supports less frequent dosing and improved owner compliance. Compared with compounded tacrolimus and short‑term corticosteroid suspensions, Optimmune offers predictable manufacturing and label support for chronic use, which can reduce downstream costs from steroid complications and repeated clinic visits.
Long-lasting comfort
Owner-friendly dosing
Long-lasting comfort
Owner-friendly dosing
Review Summary
"Long‑term users report significant improvement in tear production and comfort for dogs with dry eye or immune‑mediated corneal disease; the ointment is greasy, some dogs resist application, and it is relatively expensive."
Velcro-like cling
Contains cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment that modulates ocular immune response to increase tear production.
Velcro-like cling
Contains cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment that modulates ocular immune response to increase tear production.
Increased Safety & Security
Optimmune (cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment) is best-in-class for chronic veterinary ophthalmic allergy in dogs because it provides a licensed, veterinary-specific, steroid-sparing immunomodulatory option with a long-acting ointment vehicle that supports less frequent dosing and improved owner compliance. Compared with compounded tacrolimus and short‑term corticosteroid suspensions, Optimmune offers predictable manufacturing and label support for chronic use, which can reduce downstream costs from steroid complications and repeated clinic visits.
Long-lasting comfort
Owner-friendly dosing
Velcro-like cling
Contains cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment that modulates ocular immune response to increase tear production.
Veterinary-formulated ointment with prolonged contact time, often prescribed for chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca and immune-mediated ocular disease.
Long-lasting comfort
Owner-friendly dosing
Velcro-like cling
Contains cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment that modulates ocular immune response to increase tear production.
Veterinary-formulated ointment with prolonged contact time, often prescribed for chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca and immune-mediated ocular disease.
$60-120 CAD
Tacrolimus 0.02% Ophthalmic Suspension
Tacrolimus 0.02% suspension is a market-leading choice for severe or refractory immune-mediated and allergic ocular disease in dogs due to its higher calcineurin potency and rapid immunosuppressive effect when cyclosporine is insufficient. Technically it often achieves faster control of inflammation than cyclosporine, but because many products are compounded or distributed through specialized suppliers it can be more expensive and variable in formulation, requiring careful sourcing and handling compared with licensed veterinary brands.
Potent inflammation control
Precision low-dose
Potent inflammation control
Precision low-dose
Review Summary
"Owners using tacrolimus 0.02% long‑term often note reduced immune‑mediated or allergic ocular inflammation, especially when cyclosporine failed, though many report transient burning on instillation and the need for refrigeration."
Ninja-level relief
Tacrolimus 0.02% is a potent topical calcineurin inhibitor used when cyclosporine is insufficient.
Ninja-level relief
Tacrolimus 0.02% is a potent topical calcineurin inhibitor used when cyclosporine is insufficient.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Tacrolimus 0.02% suspension is a market-leading choice for severe or refractory immune-mediated and allergic ocular disease in dogs due to its higher calcineurin potency and rapid immunosuppressive effect when cyclosporine is insufficient. Technically it often achieves faster control of inflammation than cyclosporine, but because many products are compounded or distributed through specialized suppliers it can be more expensive and variable in formulation, requiring careful sourcing and handling compared with licensed veterinary brands.
Potent inflammation control
Precision low-dose
Ninja-level relief
Tacrolimus 0.02% is a potent topical calcineurin inhibitor used when cyclosporine is insufficient.
Often compounded for ophthalmic use in dogs and prescribed for refractory allergic or immune-mediated conjunctivitis.
Potent inflammation control
Precision low-dose
Ninja-level relief
Tacrolimus 0.02% is a potent topical calcineurin inhibitor used when cyclosporine is insufficient.
Often compounded for ophthalmic use in dogs and prescribed for refractory allergic or immune-mediated conjunctivitis.
$90-200 CAD
Maxidex Ophthalmic Suspension
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) is a market-leading, fast-acting corticosteroid ideal for acute control of ocular inflammation and allergic flares in dogs, offering potent anti‑inflammatory efficacy often at a lower per-dose price than some branded veterinary immunomodulators. Compared with steroid‑sparing agents like Optimmune or tacrolimus, Maxidex delivers more immediate symptom relief but carries greater risk with long-term use (increased intraocular pressure and delayed corneal healing), making it a cost-effective short-term choice rather than a chronic management solution.
Fast inflammation relief
High-potency steroid
Fast inflammation relief
High-potency steroid
Review Summary
"Users commonly report rapid reduction in redness and discomfort with Maxidex; however, reviewers frequently warn about steroid risks with prolonged use and emphasize veterinary monitoring."
Instant calm blitz
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) provides rapid reduction of ocular inflammation and allergic signs.
Instant calm blitz
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) provides rapid reduction of ocular inflammation and allergic signs.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) is a market-leading, fast-acting corticosteroid ideal for acute control of ocular inflammation and allergic flares in dogs, offering potent anti‑inflammatory efficacy often at a lower per-dose price than some branded veterinary immunomodulators. Compared with steroid‑sparing agents like Optimmune or tacrolimus, Maxidex delivers more immediate symptom relief but carries greater risk with long-term use (increased intraocular pressure and delayed corneal healing), making it a cost-effective short-term choice rather than a chronic management solution.
Fast inflammation relief
High-potency steroid
Instant calm blitz
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) provides rapid reduction of ocular inflammation and allergic signs.
Powerful corticosteroid effect but contraindicated if corneal ulceration or infection is suspected due to delayed healing and infection risk.
Fast inflammation relief
High-potency steroid
Instant calm blitz
Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) provides rapid reduction of ocular inflammation and allergic signs.
Powerful corticosteroid effect but contraindicated if corneal ulceration or infection is suspected due to delayed healing and infection risk.
$25-60 CAD
Pred Forte 1% Ophthalmic Suspension
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a veterinary-favored corticosteroid suspension that provides strong anterior segment penetration and reliable control of inflammatory allergic signs in dogs, often priced competitively for acute treatment. While technically comparable to other steroid drops like Maxidex for potency, Pred Forte is similarly limited for long-term management due to steroid-related adverse effects, so it is commonly used for rapid symptom control before transitioning to steroid-sparing options to minimize total treatment cost and risk.
Strong inflammation control
Broad symptom relief
Strong inflammation control
Broad symptom relief
Review Summary
"Most reviewers find Pred Forte highly effective at controlling ocular inflammation and providing quick relief, but many raise concerns about elevated intraocular pressure and ulceration risk with long‑term use."
Rescue-bottle speed
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a high-potency topical steroid effective for intense anterior segment inflammation.
Rescue-bottle speed
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a high-potency topical steroid effective for intense anterior segment inflammation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a veterinary-favored corticosteroid suspension that provides strong anterior segment penetration and reliable control of inflammatory allergic signs in dogs, often priced competitively for acute treatment. While technically comparable to other steroid drops like Maxidex for potency, Pred Forte is similarly limited for long-term management due to steroid-related adverse effects, so it is commonly used for rapid symptom control before transitioning to steroid-sparing options to minimize total treatment cost and risk.
Strong inflammation control
Broad symptom relief
Rescue-bottle speed
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a high-potency topical steroid effective for intense anterior segment inflammation.
Suspension form needs shaking and gives strong anti-inflammatory action, commonly used under veterinary supervision for severe allergic or inflammatory eye disease.
Strong inflammation control
Broad symptom relief
Rescue-bottle speed
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) is a high-potency topical steroid effective for intense anterior segment inflammation.
Suspension form needs shaking and gives strong anti-inflammatory action, commonly used under veterinary supervision for severe allergic or inflammatory eye disease.
$35-80 CAD
Ketorolac Tromethamine 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution
Ketorolac 0.5% ophthalmic solution (NSAID) is a useful adjunct or steroid-sparing option for mild allergic conjunctivitis in dogs because it reduces inflammation without corticosteroid-associated risks and is often less expensive for short courses. Technically it is less potent than topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators for severe disease, but its favorable safety profile and lower monitoring burden make it a pragmatic, lower-cost choice for mild-to-moderate allergy or as part of combination therapy.
Non-steroidal relief
Pain-focused drops
Non-steroidal relief
Pain-focused drops
Review Summary
"Owners report ketorolac provides useful relief for mild to moderate ocular pain and inflammation with fewer steroid side effects, but it is often less effective than steroids for severe allergic inflammation and can sting on instillation."
Spa-like gentle
Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% is an ophthalmic NSAID that reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation and ocular discomfort.
Spa-like gentle
Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% is an ophthalmic NSAID that reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation and ocular discomfort.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Ketorolac 0.5% ophthalmic solution (NSAID) is a useful adjunct or steroid-sparing option for mild allergic conjunctivitis in dogs because it reduces inflammation without corticosteroid-associated risks and is often less expensive for short courses. Technically it is less potent than topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators for severe disease, but its favorable safety profile and lower monitoring burden make it a pragmatic, lower-cost choice for mild-to-moderate allergy or as part of combination therapy.
Non-steroidal relief
Pain-focused drops
Spa-like gentle
Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% is an ophthalmic NSAID that reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation and ocular discomfort.
Slower onset than steroids but lacks steroid-associated risks like elevated IOP or delayed corneal healing, making it useful as adjunct therapy.
Non-steroidal relief
Pain-focused drops
Spa-like gentle
Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% is an ophthalmic NSAID that reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation and ocular discomfort.
Slower onset than steroids but lacks steroid-associated risks like elevated IOP or delayed corneal healing, making it useful as adjunct therapy.
$30-70 CAD