How to Apply Eye Drops in a Parrot's Eye

Last Updated: November 16, 2019

Have you taken your parrot to the vet where they prescribed eye drops but you’re anxious about putting them in? Not to worry! You will be a pro in no time. Bird eye drops help heal swollen eyes and some eye disorders. By using the eye drops as the prescription directs, your parrot's eye will have the best chance to heal.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing To Administer the Eye Drops

1
Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap for 20 seconds. Rinse your hands for 10 seconds.^{[1]
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- Before applying the medication, it's always a good idea to perform this step. You don’t want bacteria on your parrot’s eye because it can worsen its vision.
2
Have the medication ready. It can be difficult to open the bottle when holding your parrot. You want this to be fast as possible, so your bird won’t be irritated.

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3
Ask for some assistance if someone is around. Your parrot may be moving around when applying the treatment, so having someone around is helpful.
4
Place your parrot on the ground. The reason why you don't apply the eye drops while your parrot is on the perch is because your parrot will grip the perch with its nails which can harm it.
5
Cover your parrot from its neck to its tail from behind swiftly. Ensure your parrot’s head is out of the towel.
- Your parrot will escape if it knows you are approaching with a towel because it is intrusive, so try to do this silently.
6
Gently grab it from the belly and flip it over on its back. You should be holding the parrot like you are holding a taco.
- The towel on the bird should be snug, holding its wings. Don't place your hand on its chest.
7
Clean around your parrot’s eye with a tissue or cotton ball before applying the medication. You want to make sure the area is clean.
- If discharge is present, clean your parrot's eye with sterile eye wash solution.
- Place tissue aside and dispose later because you don't want to deal with reinfection.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying the Medication

1
Gently hold the parrot’s chin upward with the non-dominant hand when applying the medication. However, birds will typically bite on the towel, so for some birds you don't need to hold their chin. This ensures that the medication will be applied precisely in the eye.
2
Position the eye drop 1 cm from the cornea and apply a drop of the medication into the parrot’s eye. Don't touch the tip of the bottle or the birds eye to minimize contamination and blinking. Allow ten seconds for the drop to disperse in the parrot’s eye.
- If your parrot continues to blink, you can apply a drop in the nostril and some will travel to the eye.
3
Repeat the process if you need to. You should follow your vet's instructions. If you aren't sure, the frequency is printed on the side of the prescription.
- Some eye drops for specific infections or swelling need to be applied every two hours, once a day, or twice a day. In that case, it's imperative to check the label on the prescription.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Completing the Process

1
Give your parrot a treat. Your parrot will think of the treatment as a positive experience and it should be easier to apply eye drops in the future.
2
Return the parrot to its perch when finished. Ensure the parrot's water bowl is clean as it might have gotten disturbed during the treatment process.
3
Close all medications and place them somewhere secure. Reseal medication to ensure its effectiveness.

Community Q&A

Question

I can't find the eye drops that my vet prescribed, but I found similar ones, can I give them to my parrot?

Community Answer

It would depend on the ingredients and the concentration of the drops. It would be best to give your vet a call and ask their advice about the product.
Question

What kind of eye drops can I use?

Community Answer

It would be best to only give your parrot eye drops that have been prescribed by your vet.
Question

Can I do this to any bird?

Starla

Community Answer

Birds with sensitive, damaged, or infected eyes shouldn't be given any eye drops unless a vet tells you to do so.