Repti-Glo 5.0 and 10.0 Florecents

Question
I have a tortoise, who's been housed under a Repti-glo 10.0 uvb
bulb, and he is keeping his eyes closed and is lathargic, seems to co-incide with reported problems with this bulb..

I have a repti-glo 5.0 bulb i can swap it out with but i cant find out if the 5.0 bulb has the same issues associated with the repti-glo 10.0 bulb.
the light is 12" from the substrate.
please help!

Answer
Hello Blair,

Oh yes, the Reptiglo flourescent tube bulbs are horrible!  Did you turn the bulb off now?  If not, please do.  Those bulbs are emitting a low wavelength frequency of UVB which is very close to UVC emissions.  They are very harmful if kept too close to your animal. Geez, 12 inches is a decent distance, but perhaps it is reflecting off of the water?? Also, it does not emit enough UVA which is hard on their eyes.  They are not allowing the animal to constrict the pupil which lets too much UVB into the pupil.  What type of basking light are you using now?
The Reptiglo 5 is fine, however, it is not very strong.  I would recommend a Reptiglo 8 flourescent bulb, or a Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb for much better UVB emissions for your tortoise.
How are his eyes doing now?  Please let me know how he is doing.
Could you send me some pictures of him of his swollen eyes, if you don't mind to:  Drache613@tampabay.rr.com

I request this because I am working with coordinated efforts with Dr Baines regarding these lights.  She is writing reports to Exoterra regarding this matter & is currently testing the lights as well.  We need cases such as yours to present to the company too.
I will not give any information or send any pictures without your consent.  More people need to be aware of these problems.

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie