Bearded Dragon Has Swollen Eyes

Question

Lizzy1.jpg   QUESTION: Hi Tracie. We have a little guy (bearded dragon-not really sure its sex yet) with very swollen eyes. It all started about 1-1/2 wks ago. I thought it might be from sand getting in it's eyes, but a friend said that it could be trying to kick out a little skin, since it just finished shedding. To help remove the skin on its head, it would rub against a piece of wood that we had in the tank. I also thought it might have scratched its eye from all of the rubbing. I've since removed the wood and replaced it with stone. Not sure what is going on. It is the first time we've had beardies. I don't know much just yet, but I do know that it looks very uncomfortable! The only time I really see it's eyes is when it is eating. Otherwise it pretty much just squints all day. I have been rinsing its eyes with a gentle saline solution, to try to give it some comfort. Not sure what else I can do other than going to the vet. Can you please take a look at the picture I've attached, and maybe offer a little advise.
Thanks for your help.
Gina

ANSWER: Hello Gina,

What type & brand of UVB light do you have, is it a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?  I need the specific brand, please.  There are some lights that are very harmful on their eyes.  How close is it to him?
What type of basking light are you using, a bright white light or a colored one?  
The sand could be irritating his eyes too, but it normally shouldn't make his eyes swollen like that.  Plus, if he is squinting all day long, that is usually not caused by sand.  
Continue to use saline solution eye drops.  They will help his eyes.  
Just based on the picture though, it appears to be the UVB light you are using.  So please let me know what type & brand you are using.
Thanks.
Note, IF you are using ANY compact or coil light, please turn it off.  IF you are using ESU, or R-Zilla flourescent tube light, or Reptiglo 10 flourescent tube light, please turn it off.   

Tracie




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QUESTION: Hi Tracie,
Thanks for your quick response! We have been using the R-Zilla  Low Profile Double Bulb Fixture - 50 microwatts UVB tube lighting, in combination with a ZooMed Halogen clear light bulb for basking during the day. At night, I will change the basking light out for a ZooMed red bulb nightlight. When we had the wood in the tank, at the highest spot of the wood, it was about 6" away from the lamps. Now, since I've changed to the stone, lizards are about 9" away from the lamps. Lighting sits directly on top of a wired mesh lid.
We do have 2 lizards in the same enclosure, and no signs of puffy eyes in the second lizard. Does lighting affect individual lizards in different ways? I just don't want to  overlook chance of an eye infection being another cause of the swollen eyes.

Thanks, Tracie!

ANSWER: Hello Gina,

Hm, that is interesting.  Actually, the R-Zilla light has been one of the most dangerous lights on the market.  They are currently working on reformulating the phosphors on the bulb coating, but, I don't know if the new ones are out yet.  What does the box say, does it have a date on it?  Anyway, the older lights had caused photo kerato conjunctivitis.  
The dragon with the swollen eyes, is he sitting closer to the light than your other one is?  
At any rate, 6 inches is way too close for a tube light of that strength though.  I recommend moving it to 8-10, so, 9 is ok.  The basking light, is it placed directly beside the UVB light?  
Yes, dragons can have different reactions to the light for some reason.  
I don't recommend using any lighting for the nighttime hours, as especially red can disturb the sleep patterns.  They like it totally dark.
Here is a website with a report on the older light:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

Did you change the sand out?  
Can you post a picture of the light, & please check for me as to the date on the box, or please find out for me if possible.  I really need to know, as I work in conjunction with a person who does the reports in the UK to help her gather cases such as these if they are light related.  If this is the Zilla's new light, then, that is going to be a problem.  

Thanks.
Tracie

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R-Zilla light.jpg   QUESTION: Hi Tracie, Please to tell you that since I turned off the UVB light fixture, I have noticed considerable improvement in out little guy. It has been more alert, and has had its eyes open more often. I hope this is the answer to all of his problems. THANK YOU!
So now that I've turned off the current UVB lighting, what do you recommend I use to make sure they are getting the UVB that is needed? Anything that is not harmful for them?
Yes, we have changed the sand out.
If I turn the red light off at night, the tank cools off to about 76 degrees. A little worried about the temp once winter (if winter) hits us with cooler weather. Should I try a black light? I just want to make sure it's warm enough at night for the lizards. What would be too cold for them?

Attached is a jpg with a couple of different shots of the lighting fixture that we have. I could not find a stamped manufactured date anywhere. ~Sorry. Nothing on the box or the fixture itself. How else can I supply that to you? I'd like to help any way I can, with your research.

Thanks again.
Gina

Answer
Hello Gina,

Sorry I can't get the jpeg to open for me.  Can you please look on the flourescent tube light to see if you can find a date, a serial number, or anything like that which could identify it?
What I really need to know is if it is an old R-Zilla light that was just on the shelf that was not revoked from their initial bad lights, or, if it is their new reinvented light that they just put out this year.  
If it is their new light, then, that is a huge problem & it needs to be addressed immediately & I need to contact Frances about it.  
Please try to find out anything that you can.  Could you maybe ask the person in the store where you bought it from as to whether or not he just purchased it or if it was an old light from earlier in the year?
Anyway, GREAT that he is doing so much better now.  So you just have the basking light on him during the day now?  
The best UVB that you can get that is a flourescent tube bulb is the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  There have been no reported problems with these at all.  Do not get ANY compact or coil lights, they are not good lights.  The best place to buy that light is at:
www.petmountain.com  
What you can get for nighttime heating, is a ceramic heat emitter.  That puts out just heat but, no light.  They do well with the temps dropping to the 60's-70's at night, no problem.  They sleep better, but if it gets that cold, you can keep him a little warmer, no problem.  Right now, with his immune system down, I recommend a little heating just to help him out.  
Good you took the sand out also.  
How is his appetite doing now?  Is he eating & more active too?

Keep me posted.  Thanks!

Tracie