meaning putting medication designed for eye-use right in the eye. If you don't have the appropriate medication (pure ophthalmic antibiotic ointment like Gentocin Otic or Terramycin Eye Ointment, then the best you can do is put some artificial tears in the eye several times a day...that will "wash the eye" and help keep it more comfortable. I wouldn't feel comfortable using the childs oral medication at all.