Is My Lizard Going to Die?

Question
Hi Diane,
I am still very concerned about my lizard. It hasn't eaten in days, and it still keeps its eyes closed all day long. Since I changed the light out from the compact bulb like you suggested it has been able to keep its eyes open a little bit longer then it could before. But they still swell up with tears very soon and it has to shut them for an extended period of time. Will it be as simple as going to the vet and getting eye ointment? I am a cash strapped college student and I really don't know what I can afford to spend. What do you expect something like that to cost? Does is sound like the lizard is sick or could it have permanent eye damage.
Thanks again for all your great advice!
Jared

Answer
Hi Jared,
As to the eye damage, chances are it is not a permanent thing, that is if it was the light causing the problem. Try placing vines, fake plants, etc between him and the light for a bit to see if that helps.  One of the biggest things you can do is try and study them in their natural habitat.  Do they bask out in the full, hot sun?  Are they under leaves when they bask?  Do they spend time in the sun only at specific times during the day? Do they swim and go under water? Dot hey go back to a certain area and eat a specific plant?
With reptiles taken from the wild, many may live for a while and then go down hill for one reason or another. Stress of them not being in their wild environment is one of the big reasons they go down hill.  Internal parasites can also be a problem.  I don't think anyone knows if the cooler temperatures the nights provide, hibernation, or even a specific plant or something helps to control the level of internal parasites in the wild.
In most cases, if nothing else is needed, the eye problem may be able to be treated with Gentimician antibiotic eye drops.  If there is sand in the eyes, washing gently with a sterile saline such as that used by contact lens wearers may help flush out the sand or other particles.  Generally, if it is something that is in the eyes, after rinsing them out, the antibiotic drops will also be prescribed.
As to cost...that is really tough to say.  Much depends on what state you are in.  Office visits can vary greatly...30$ to 100$ for a reptile. To that, add the cost of any medications that may be needed and also any tests, such as for internal parasites.
Have you misted your lizard daily to get moisture?  Try placing him in a pan of warm, shallow water...do not leave him when you do this...  he MAY go under the water to possibly try and rinse debris out out his eyes..not sure if it will work..but as I said, we don't know much about what they do in the wild.
You may want to check into a credit card that can only be used for medical procedures and vet visits.  www.carecredit.com  Its interest free for several months, as long as you make your payments on time of course.