eyes stuck closed

Question
QUESTION: how can I help my bearded dragon? his eyes are stuck shut. Im really worried/ I have tried and eye drop solution on him like I was told. Using a q=tip to apply it. Please what else can I do or is this the right way to do it? I read to get pedilite and add 1/2 to 1/2  in a warm water bath would help for 20 minutes.

ANSWER: Hello Richard,

I am sorry his eyes are not doing well!
What type of lighting are you using & what is your setup like?
How old is he?
Continue with the sterile saline solution daily for him, the q-tip is fine to use.  You can also get some chamomile tea bags & moisten them in warm water.  Then place them over his eyes for a few minutes at night to help soothe them.
Please let me know what type of UVB lighting you are using, it is extremely important.

You can use the pedialyte diluted for his bath as well as orally.  If he isn't eating, try getting some chicken or turkey baby food along with squash or sweet potato baby food to feed to him using a plastic syringe or dropper.

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: im using an r40 uvb 160 watt clear light bulb. He is 5 an a half years old. He gets lighting for about 8 to 10 hrs a day depending on time of year. I am using the pedialyte in his bath now and I will go get the baby food today. Thank you for your help im really worried about Drako. I look forward to your reply. Thank you
Richard

ANSWER: Hello Richard,

What brand is the R40 UVB 160 watt light, is it the Solar Brite light?  Where did you purchase it from?  Is the internal mechanism/stem crooked off to one side?
Did his eyes start becoming affected after you put the light in?  How long have you had the light & how close is it to him?
Can you send me a picture of the box?
Go ahead & turn off the light though for now until we get this figured out.  Try using a regular halogen light right now for basking, maybe a 90-100 watt for him, should be enough.  What sized tank is he in?  
Were you able to find some baby food for Drako today?
Let me know how he is doing & if he likes the baby food, too.  

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes it is a solar bright. Its about 14 to 16 inches above him. Its not broke on the inside. he has had the light for about a year and this just started about a week or so ago before I wrote you that is. He is in a 55gallon old fish tank. I have had sand in it and its been the wrong kind I think. I have since changed it to newspaper for now until I can get money for a carpet from the pet store.. Yes I got baby food for him but he won't open his mouth and I can't pry it open I don't want to hurt him. Im gonna try to feed him again today. I have  rock in his tank he has not had a great tank lately but its been improving now. I thank you for your help once again.
Thank you
Richard

Answer
Hello Richard,

Thank you.  You have been using the Solar Brite for about a year?  
I have experience with them & they have had good lights in the past but the quality did go down the last year or so.  I would think though since you have had it for that long then it wouldn't be the cause of the eye issues.  
I would recommend that you do change out the UVB light to either the Arcadia D3 T5 High output tube, the Reptisun 10 T5 High output tube, or the Arcadia D3 MVB light for better UVB exposure.  You can get the Arcadia bulbs at this site:


www.lightyourreptiles.com


I would remove the sand as that can definitely cause eye issues, too.  The newspaper is fine for now until you can get it changed to carpet.
Do you have any pictures of him?
You can try dripping the food onto the end of his nose to see if he will lick the food off.  

Are you still using the saline solution for him?  
If you feel that the eyes are infected, you can get some terramycin to help out.  It is an eye antibiotic ointment.  You may be able to find it at your local feed store.  If you can't find that, I have a small online reptile store & sell that.

How often do you give him calcium?
Let me know how Drako is doing.

Tracie