ball python eye problem

Question
QUESTION: hey there,

recently i noticed a problem with one of my ball python's eyes. i bought it
like about two months ago and last month it had its first shed with me.
everything was ok but yesterday i noticed there is something weird about one
of its eye. near the corner of the eye there is a white thing. it look like the
'eye white' but the other eye doesnt have it. the snake eye is round and the
white thing is just like some eye white or eye skin :S at first i suspect that
there is retained eye cap but both the eyes are clear so i dont think that there
is a retained eye cap. may i know what problem is this? what should i do with
it? i am really worry about its eye.

ANSWER: Hi Sharon
From what you are telling me it sounds like a piece of shed that didn't come off completely.  This is a common occurance in boas/pythons. They have trouble shedding their eye caps completely.  I would really need to see the eye to be positive. But for now i wouldn't worry.  You might want to hold a small moist paper towel gently over that eye for a few minutes at a time.  It will eventually loosen up and come off.  Otherwise wait until he sheds again to see if it comes off completely next time.  Take care.

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

QUESTION: hey there,

thanks so much for answering my question. may i know how to know that the eye caps of a ball python is come off completely? it may be difficult to tell because the eyes are already clear right? thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Sharon
Actually if you notice that they are both clear than it will have already fallen off.  Sometimes it takes a couple of sheds before it completely comes off.  More experienced handlers have used scotch tape gently on the eye and taken it off quickly.  But I recommend against that if you are not experienced in doing so.  And to ease your worries...my adult sand boa just finally lost her eye cap after 3 shed cycles!!! And I had done the tape treatment and everything.  Take care.