bearded dragon with one eye closed

Question
QUESTION: i got up this morning to my bearded dragon to find him basking under his heat lamp as normal but with one eye open and one closed he has been trying all afternoon to scratch it with his back foot and by rubbing it on things in his cage he has opened it briefly at times for a few seconds but then closes it again ....we bought him last week from somone who could no longer care for him he had been well looked after he has a 3 ft vivarium and uva and heat lamp he is eating normally ( though not keen on the salad i give him) he eats meal worm on occasion and locusts and crickets daily about 10 in total combined i just worried about his eye

ANSWER: Hello Emma,

What type & brand of UVB are you using currently, is it a florescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?  Are you using a bright white basking light or a colored light for his basking?
What are the temperatures in the tank & what type of thermometer are you using to measure the temperatures with, a stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?
Can you post a picture of him for me?
Is he possibly going to shed right now, they will rub their faces on things when they are getting ready to shed.  What is his age, or do you have any idea on that?

What is his substrate, sand, tiles, paper towels?

Tracie

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abe the bearded dragon   QUESTION: thank you for getting back to me so quickly ...sorry for the lack of information i will give you all the information i can, abe (my bearded dragon) is 7 months old i really am not sure what brand the uvb light is as it was already in place inthe vivarium that he came with and the previous owners said it was in use for four months, it is a florecent tube strip light that almost covers the width of his vivarium and i have it on for 10 hours aday. i am useing a infared 75watt heat bulb for his basking and for heat that i am leaving on all the time at the moment as the temp falls lots at night here with no heating on in the room he's in, i currently have the stick on type of thermometer but i know these arnt really any  good and have digital ones on order, the temp rises above 93 during the day in the hot side of the vivarium and 75 in the cold side..apparently he only just shed a few weeks ago, his substrate is wood chip as thats what the last owners used but i am planning on changing this to paper in next day or so as ive read that its not good for them. he is still eating well and seems active i have a picture of him i will try to attach this was taken a few days ago before the bad eye, he is also opening his mouth allot when he's basking he does open the eye but only for short periods then closes it but keeps the other open allthe time it did look a bit more swollen this evening around the eye lid but not a great deal , i'd hate to have to take him out to a vet as its so cold outside to get him there. hope you can help we are worried about him he is so friendly  

Answer
Hello Emma,

Ok, well, a long tube bulb is better than a compact/coil UVB.  So in another month or so, you will need to replace the light.  Try getting a Reptisun 10 tube bulb for his new UVB.  The light should be 6-8 inches from him, placed directly beside a bright white light on one end of the tank.  They are the best tube bulbs you can get.  Here is a site where you can order it for a great price:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-rept

The basking light needs to be a bright white light instead of an infrared light.  They need bright white light to stimulate activity & appetite, as well as protect their eyes from the UVB exposure.  
The basking temperatures are recommended at 95-110 & the cooler end around 78-82 or so.  Great that you have a digital probe on order, that will give you accurate readings.  

Definitely replace the wood chips, they can be hazardous for impaction.  They can also harbor bacteria as well, making it very hard to keep the tank clean.  

Does it look possible he might shed his head or eye area?  
He will need vitamins 1-2 times per week, & calcium 5 times per week right now.  It sounds like he is settling in well though.  Let me know how things are going!
I think with just a few changes, he will start to improve for you.  :-))

Tracie