Bearded Dragon Eye Bulging

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracie,
I emailed you several months ago regarding my son's bearded dragon, Spikey.  You were awesome.  Last November, we purchased a powersun bulb which caused his eyes to stay shut and he wouldn't eat.  You explained to me that it was damaging spikey's eyes.  We returned the bad bulb and just used a house bulb for a while and his eyes seemed to go back to normal.   Right now we are using a reptiglo tube 10 and a regular 100 watt lightbulb for heat.  Spikey's eyes are nicely opened but have become very very puffy.  They have been like this for about a month.  He did shed his eye skin a couple weeks ago but the puffiness hasn't gone down.  He moves around ok but seems like he can't see well.  I have to put his crickets right in front of his nose for him to catch them.  He has a hard time catching the crickets on his own.  My husband thinks he's just lazy but I still think something isn't right with his eyes.  Also he only poops every 3 or 4 weeks.  We used to use a sand substrate but changed to a reptile carpet 8 weeks ago.  I was concerned about impaction from the sand because he was licking the sand alot.  His belly gets very big and bloated and is very firm until he poops.   His diet is mostly crickts with calcium and the heptivite 2-3times per week.. plus lots of chopped up green leaf lettuce.  He gets water from a dropper daily that he licks off his nose.  I only bathe him once every couple weeks but I spritz him daily.  Any advice on the bulgy eyes and constipation would be much  appreciated.  Thanks, Alana

ANSWER: Hello Alana,

I am happy that Spike got so much better, that is excellent.
I hate to have to tell you the the Reptiglo 10 tube bulb is not a good bulb, either.  It is basically the same type of problem, the low wavelength UVB spiking too often, which is the more damaging wavelength.  There is not enough UVA to simulate brightness thus, causing the pupil to remain dilated & allowing more UVB to penetrate the eye.  His lethargic behavior is most likely due to improper UVB & the inability of him to absorb his calcium very well.  
What type of basking light are you using, & where is the basking light placed?  Is it a bright white light?  
Please turn the Reptiglo 10 tube bulb off now.  You will need the Reptisun 10 tube bulb.  At the moment, here in the US, that really is about the only decent light you can get.  You can get it here:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/11442-504983/zoo-me

The constipation is caused by hypocalcemia because of the poor absorption rate of the calcium.  These bulbs do not have the proper wavelength that it conducive to D3 synthesis, therefore affecting his calcium absorption.  Since the GI tract works off of calcium ions to function properly, this will contribute to constipation & probably dehydration issues.
I would try to get some sterile saline solution for his eyes, to put in once a day.  
At night when he is going to sleep, try using a warm, moist herbal tea bag & placing it on his eyes to help with the swelling & discomfort for him.

Time will heal his eyes, but please turn the light off.  Go ahead & get the other UVB light that I mentioned, but, give him a couple of weeks without the UVB bulbs in his tank.  If you can, you may take him outside for short stints, as that will definitely help him out.

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi Tracie,
Thank you. The bulb is now turned off. I ordered the reptisun 10.0 tube bulb and paid for next day so it will be here tomorrow.  Spikey's basking light is a regular 100 watt white light GE household bulb.  It is on one side of the tank and about 17inches from the bottom of the tank and 13 inches from the top of his basking rock.  The basking light is on the same side as the uvb bulb.  We do not use a screen on top.  The basking light is ina reflector and hangs over the open top of the tank with a stand and the uvb sits over the corner.  I do have a repti sun basking spot lamp 100w but have been afraid to try a new bulb.  Should I use the repti sun sot lamp?  

Are bearded dragon's eyelids supposed to be flat without any raised round appearance?  Do different breeds have different eyes?  Spikes eyelids are so round and stick out- his actual eyeballs arent bulging it's the tissue skin around the eyes.
thank you again! Alana

ANSWER: Hello Alan,

I am so sorry this has happened again!
Wow, that is great you already ordered the Reptisun 10.  Remember to wait just a bit until his eyes are better to put it in over him.  When you do place the Reptisun 10 over him make sure it is 6-8 inches from him for the best exposure.
Your setup sounds fine, regarding the placement of your lights, etc.  The basking lights should not matter, as long as they are a bright white light, & not colored.  
Do you have any pictures of Spike's eyes, so I can see.  How are his eyes doing, any improvements yet?
How is his appetite doing?


Tracie


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


spikey eye   QUESTION: Hi Tracie,  It's been a couple days and Spikey's the swelling of Spikey's eyelids isn't improving.  He was very energetic the day after we switched to the reptisun 10 bulb.  He was very active and seemed to be getting better but now he is back to be lazy and still hasn't pooped in a couple weeks.  I started giving him superworms because he wasn't catching the crickets very well.  I can take him to a vet but the closest exotic vet is an hour away and it's about 35 degrees outside so I'm worried about his traveling.  I could take him to a vet that comes to petco but have read that those vets aren't so great.  What do you suggest?  I am attaching a picture of his puffy eyelids.  Both eyes look the same and seem to have alot of fluid in them.  I do not think he can see very well but he is able to see some... thank you for all your help and advice.  
Alana

Answer
Hello Alana,

Wow, poor Spike!  
How old is he?  
How long did you give him in between the Reptiglo 10 & putting the Reptisun 10 over him?  I would turn off all UVB right now & just have a basking light over him right now.
You can try to get some herbal tea bags & moisten them.  When they are warm , place them over his eyes at night when he is going to sleep.  You can put a towel over them to hold some heat in but make sure they are not too hot!
There is only one other thing this could be, possibly renal or heart problems.  
My suggestion would be to take him to the vet & get a blood test on him, if you can afford it.  I hope it is just the light, but I am not sure now looking at those eyes.  
Is he eating the worms at all right now?

Let me know how he is doing.
Tracie