Leopard gecko eye problem

[amandades]

Our leopard gecko has had a problem over the past month or so. It first started when we purchased a different brand nocturnal heat (red) light. Our gecko became lethargic and stopped eating. We purchased a new heat light (which increased the temp. in the 3-ft. aquarium). I thought this was the problem, but still nothing. Her skin began to fade (so presumed she was about to shed) so we made sure her humidity hide was ideal. She did, in fact, shed that evening, but seemed to have a hard time getting the skin off her right eye. After her shed, she still wasn't eating and her tail was getting thinner. Her right eye started to get swollen and she did not open it. We cleaned it with normal saline and put lubricating ointment on it. We began to feed her chicken baby food and a pedialyte/gecko super food mixture through a dropper. She laps up both food choices no problem and doesn't mind being held during it. She is having bowel movements as well.

My concern is that she really hurt her right eye. When you look at her straight on, her left eye has a clear layer that is bubble-like (sorry, don't know eye/gecko anatomy), but her right eye is now missing that "bubble." I've been searching for a reptile vet in the area to no avail. Everything that we've been doing has been based on the advice of this forum.

I was hoping someone would know what happened to her eye and if it's something that can improve (or, is she forever blind in that eye?). I know I will be referred back to seeing a vet, which I am working on. In the meantime, any suggestions or thoughts on what happened?

Thanks.

 

[justindh1]

Eye infections could be cause by differant things. A vitamin A deficiancy is one problem that it could be and typically is one of the main problems. Does the geckos get the right supplements such as calciums in tank and feeders dusted with calciums and D3?

The lights probably not it since you are using a red bulb. If you have a under tank heater on the tank and your ambient temps are in the 80's, 85 is best, then you don't need a heat lamp.

Soak him in a luke warm water bath to help kinda soften anything up on the eyes like you would helping it shed. Theres several eye rinses you can get at the pet store that has vitamin A in it. Rinse the eye out and watch him. Do that as needed. I had one that had a eye get infected. It took a while to get rid of but this is what i did and it worked.

 

[amandades]

Thanks! We have been mixing in more supplements with the eye dropper feedings. I will certainly get some eye rinse and soak her tonight. Can an eye infection make the "roundness" of her eye go away? I've also noticed that the right eye doesn't dilate equally with the left one. I don't mind hand feeding her (it's actually quite relaxing) but would like her to be able to naturally catch her prey on her own.

**I will try to get a photo tonight to show the eye.

 

[justindh1]

A eye infections can do many differant things to a eye. Its not gonna look anything like it should. It could be red, swollen lots of puss, and others. Just rinse it out and try to keep it clean. If it gets worse in a couple days then take it to the vet.

 

[Lazer Bubble]

i personally have never used them but there are some turtle eye drops that iknow people have used on geckos before. Also i have heard of people using polysporin eye drops

 

[justindh1]

Most all eye rinses contain vitamin A! The turtle rinse contains beta carotene whcich the reptiles convert into vitamin A!

 

[Lazer Bubble]

good call!

 

[hyposhawn]

Try to get a pic on.

 

[helenbuys1]

My gecko has the same prob and the vet has given us antibiotic eye drops and an oral medicine. Doesn't seem to have changed the condition much in the last 3 days. Anyway, a visit to the vet might give you a better chance of saving its sight as the condition seems to quite commonly cause blindness - but is very difficult to treat... Anyone got any good ideas to get a gecko to open its mouth to take medicine it hates !!!