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| Leopard Gecko with Retained Eyelid Shed Being Removed |
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Leopard Geckoes - Eye Problems
The leopard gecko to the left has the skin that lines its eyelids visible. Normally this eyelid lining is shed when the gecko sheds the rest of its skin. A leopard gecko that is kept too dry or does not get vitamin A in its diet will often not shed this eyelid lining. The retained eyelid lining becomes very irritating and causes the gecko to squint. Sometimes this gets infected and the mix of retained eyelid lining and pus makes the eyelids swell. This condition is often referred to as "eye caps" or "retained spectacles" since it looks similar to a snake that does not successfully shed the spectacle (a scale over its eye). Leopard geckos do not have this scale, they have eyelids, so neither term is an accurate description. Since both phrases are already entrenched in the hobby literature and much simpler to say than the more accurate phrase (i.e., bacterial conjunctivitis associated with squamous metaplasia and dysecdysis), even veterinarians say eye caps or retained spectacles! Whatever they are called, it is important to recognize that this problem indicates a problem with the diet and the humidity offered the leopard gecko. It's also important to realize that the eyes are very fragile and these "eye caps" need to be carefully removed by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The leopard gecko at the top of this web page had started squinting after a shed and only had a single layer of skin to remove from beneath the eyelid.
This leopard gecko had undergone multiple problem sheds and had many layers of skin and pus bulding up on both eyes. Below is one of the eye caps that was removed from this leopard gecko.
As you can see, leopard geckoes may grow "eye caps" of alarming dimensions if not treated early!
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS ON YOUR OWN AS YOU MAY SERIOUSLY AND IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGE THE EYE!
This is the same leopard gecko after both eye caps have been removed. It needed treatment for damage to the corneas that had developed as a result of this impaction and infection. Sometimes the leopard gecko has permanent damage to the eyes as a result of the eye caps.
Leopard geckos that squint may have a single layer of unshed skin lining their eyelids or they may have small impactions developing. In other cases, the squinting may be due to sand or peat moss or other objects that have gotten trapped beneath the eyelids. Place a squinting leopard gecko in shallow warm water bath for about 60 minutes to see if that helps. If not, it needs to be taken to a veterinarian so that this material can be removed. The gecko may need to be sedated or anesthetized in order to provide treatment without further damaging the eye.
Many time a leopard gecko may squinting due to a corneal ulcer, a serious injury that can lead to rupture of the eye if it is not treated promptly.
Whenever your leopard gecko develops an eye problem, it needs to be seen by an experienced veterinarian quickly if you want to give it the best possible chance of healing the eye.
Copyright 2009
Kevin Wright
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, LLC
744 N Center Street
Mesa, AZ 85203
info@azeah.com
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