Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My veiled chams right eye seems to be "stuck" looking forward. he only moves it up and down, and he does not move it around nearly as much as his left eye.

I was told to adjust his set up so that he can get more UV lighting and that this would help him out.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or objections to whats happening?

Should I upgrade from a repti-glo 5.0 uv lamp???
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Blue Tongue Skink
Savannah Monitor
Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python

I've never heard of UV light affecting the eye's ability to move. Sounds fishy to me. Many many hundreds of captive chams have done fine under UVB 5.0 lamps. He might be developing a muscle "habit" for some odd reason. If he can see, his eye isn't bothering him, it isn't swollen or discolored, there may not be a problem. I think I'd keep an eye on it (pun intended) to see if anything more substantial develops.

Thanks. I brought him to the guy who told me about the UV problem. He was under the impression that his eyes were closed. But once he saw the cham he told me looked like his eye was just sticking because of "gunk" or whatever.

The eye started moving in full when it was gentle touched.

He suggested that when i mist the cage that I should try to moisten the eye with a very gentle mist. but I recall reading somewhere that I am not suppose to mist the actually cham. What is you take on this??
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Blue Tongue Skink
Savannah Monitor
Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python

Most chams dont really enjoy being directly sprayed. I dont think being sprayed right in his eye would be a nice experience. If there is "gunk" you MIGHT be able to GENTLY wipe the area with a damp q-tip. Better just to increase humidity generally, and see a vet. A vet could tell you if there is anything wrong with the eye, such as retained dead skin around the rim or and irritant or a malformation or whatever.

Too much UVB can damage eyes. Too little has serious consequences. UVB5.0 lamps, changed every six months and positioned at the right distance, are perfectly acceptable.
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Sandra
BC Canada

Further to my saying too much UVB can damage eyes, see
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Some CFLs have been causing photo kerato conjuctivitus
This link was originally posted here by kinyonga, a person who's opinions I usually listen to.
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Sandra
BC Canada

I've found that using sterile contact lens saline solution can help flush eyes if you are dealing with a specific issue. You can squirt it at the eye and VERY GENTLY stroke the lid to loosen any crusting. Lots of crusting and an eye stuck shut each day is a sign of injury or infection of the eye itself. The saline won't sting as much as plain water so he may not flinch as much. If you mist, use warm water, but remember that what feels warm to you (at body temp 98.6 F) will feel hot to a cham (probably body temp below 90F depending on the cage temp).