closed eyes in my sulcata

Question
My sulcata's eyes are closed she is approximately 9 yrs we got her from a tortoise rescue she weighs 30 lbs we have an outdoor enclosure and a large insulated shed for nighttime and cooler weather  with proper heating lighting etc I live in New Orleans I try to soak her at least once a week we also have a shallow pond for her she is eating and getting around well it seems her eyes are closed all the time she has plenty of room and eats mostly grasses with treats to give her her TNT (Collards mustard greens pumpkin) vitamins. We have a male with no issues at all.She has always (since we adopted her)had her eyes partially closed could she be blind or is this a sickness ? I'm very worried we only have one vet in the area and she is very expensive please help

Answer
Hi Coni,

It sounds like you have her set up well and eating a good diet.  I would just verify that your basking temperature (under the basking lamp) is in the 90-95 degree range and that your UVB bulb is good (if she's not getting outside daily).  Try to soak her twice a week if you can, but if she has water available she shouldn't be dehydrated.  If she is eating and active, that's a good sign, but she should be opening her eyes.  It's not likely that she's blind, but she could have parasites or have something else going on.  My best suggestion would be to take her to the vet.  Most likely you'll only have to pay an exam fee (should be about $50) and the cost of a fecal check ($20-30), so you should be able to do it for about $100 or less.  Just make sure that the vet doesn't try to give a vitamin injection--tell her that your tortoise is on a good diet (grasses/greens) and shouldn't be deficient.  Vitamin deficiencies are common in tortoises that eat well, and vitamin overdose via injection is a real possibility.  I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but it does sound like you're taking good care of her, so a vet visit is the best thing to do.