red eared slider wont open his eyes

Question
species: red eared slider
habitat size:
substrate: unknown
humidity%, unknown
bask/ambient temps: bask temps is 28 degree celcius
ambient temp is 19 degree celcius
whether you use thermometer or humidity gauge, UVB lighting, type of UVB light (tube, coil, spot/flood), brand of UVB light: NA, i rely on sunlight only
vet history: no turtle expert in my area
all food offered: commercial pellets
feeding schedule: one pellet in morning and one at night
supplements and schedule: NA
last time ate: hour ago but he hasn't eaten whole pellet, i can see bits lying in water and this is 3rd time i am seeing this in a row
when and how water is given: use tap water and i clean tank almost every two days
when last defecated: unknown
captive bred or wild caught: captive bred, he is almost year old
shed recently: unknown
other animals living in same terrarium: No, he is alone


My red eared slider has not been able to open his eyes since 3 weeks. He is eating fine and doing normal activity but of course since he can't see i guess so he is not as active as before. I have used boric acid but its of no use. There is no turtle expert near my home and I don't know what to do.

First his only on eye was closed but now he doesn't open both of them. I can't see any swelling or redness in eyes. Everything seems normal.

I have also noticed my turtle extending his face out of water and then opening his mouth and closing it and repeat the same few times and going back in water. I have never seen him do that before.

He also rubs his claws over his eyes as if his is irritated at the eyes being closed.

Thanks a lot for your time and advice. I really appreciate it.

Answer
What is the habitat size? You left this unanswered.

How does the turtle receive sunlight? While he is inside a tank? Through a window or outside? Either one of these can turn an aquarium into an oven that will cook him to death. Cease immediately.

You need a UVB light, and until then the only safe method is to allow him time outside in a proper habitat where he is offered both 50% or more shaded area he can get to, sufficient swim depth of about 4 times the width of his shell, in declorinated water to reduce irritants, as well as a dry basking area, and sufficient security to be protected from predators. If he is confined inside a terrarium or other enclosure without sufficient volume, shade, and unobstructed air flow this will be hazardous to him.

Please convert these celsius values to fahrenheit. And I will need to know how these values are derived since you apparently use no lighting equipment. Such a thing is not going to remain a constant with the changing of daily weather and seasons, since you are not using artificial lighting for UVB or climate control.

The water temp should be approx 76F. The dry basking area should be approx 88-92F. He should have sufficient water depth and shade available as well.

I don't even know the size of this turtle either, so you are leaving quite a bit out here. I also need to know the brand and type of pellet you are using, and the size. And without knowing the size of the turtle, I can't even tell you if the amount you are feeding is correct.

This turtle should also be receiving fresh foods, such as bloodworms (mosquito larvae), snails, worms, etc. as well as turtle safe aquatic plants (duckweed, anacharis, dried seaweed/algae).

The symptoms you describe are typical to illness caused by inadequate habitat setup and environment. Namely not having a dry basking area, not having proper temperatures in the water or the rest of the environment, and/or having a dirty environment. Provide the additional information as requested.

And see the following:

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm

http://redearedslider.com