Common Bearded Dragon Eye Problems – Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Bearded dragons are popular pet lizards known for their calm temperament and unique appearance. However, like all pets, bearded dragons can develop various health issues, including problems with their eyes. As a bearded dragon owner, it’s important to learn about the common eye problems these reptiles face so you can identify symptoms early and get veterinary treatment if needed. In this article, we’ll cover the most frequent bearded dragon eye problems, their causes, symptoms to look for, and tips to prevent issues in the first place.

Swollen or Irritated Eyes

One of the most common eye issues in bearded dragons is swelling or irritation of the eyes and eyelids. This swelling gives the eye a bulging appearance. It often affects just one eye, but sometimes both eyes can be impacted.

There are a few potential causes for swollen eyes in bearded dragons:

• Infections – Bacterial, viral, or fungal eye infections can cause swelling, discharge, and irritation Infections need veterinary treatment with antibiotic or antifungal eye drops to clear up

• Foreign objects – Sand, substrates, or other debris that gets into the eye can cause swelling and redness. Gently rinsing with saline solution may help flush out irritants.

• Poor hydration – Dehydration can sometimes manifest as swollen eyes in reptiles. Ensure adequate hydration by providing a water bowl, misting, and soaking regularly.

• Shedding issues – Swelling around the eyes may indicate problems with shedding the skin around the eyelids. Increase humidity levels to aid shedding.

• Vitamin A deficiency – Lack of vitamin A can lead to eye swelling and discharge. Supplement with vitamin A under a vet’s guidance.

• Tumors – Cancerous eye tumors are less common but can also lead to bulging eyes. Seek veterinary diagnosis if swelling persists.

With any eye swelling or irritation, it’s best to have your bearded dragon seen by an exotic vet, especially if symptoms last more than a day or two. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help prevent lasting damage or vision loss.

Eye Discharge

Excessive eye discharge or “sleep” in one or both eyes is another symptom that warrants a vet visit. Cloudy, yellow, or green discharge often signals an eye infection in bearded dragons.

Potential infection causes include:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis
• Fungal eye infections
• Parasites like eye worms
• Foreign debris scratching the eye

Seek prompt veterinary attention if you notice discharge coming from one or both of your bearded dragon’s eyes. The vet will prescribe antibiotic or antifungal eye drops to clear up the infection. Leaving eye infections untreated can lead to ulcers, corneal damage, and even blindness.

Retained Eye Caps/Shedding Issues

Like all reptiles, bearded dragons shed their skin periodically as they grow. The skin around the eyes can sometimes be difficult to shed properly. This is especially true if humidity levels are too low.

Retained eye caps appear as opaque white skin over the eye. It may cover part or all of the eye. Gently bathing and manually removing the shed skin with a cotton swab can help. But avoid pulling on skin that won’t come off easily to prevent damage.

Frequent eye shedding issues can mean your bearded dragon needs higher humidity. Aim for 30-40% enclosure humidity and provide a humid hide box. Supplementing with vitamin A may also help promote smooth eye sheds.

Bulging Eyes

You may notice one or both of your bearded dragon’s eyes bulging out more than usual on occasion. This is usually a normal behavior called “eye boggling.” Bearded dragons can voluntarily bulge their eyes out when faced with certain stimuli like seeing food or a potential threat.

However, if you notice a sudden onset of protruding eyes, lethargy, and appetite loss, see your exotic vet. These can be signs of potentially serious health issues like:

• Respiratory infection
• Gout
• Liver or kidney failure
• Egg binding in females

Don’t hesitate to have bulging eyes evaluated, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Proper treatment can help prevent lasting damage.

Eye Injuries and Trauma

Bearded dragons can occasionally injure their eyes from sharp cage decor, fighting with tankmates, or eye rubbing. Signs can include:

• Redness, bleeding, or fluid discharge
• Swelling around the eyes
• Keeping the eyes closed
• Loss of appetite

Take your bearded dragon to the vet at the first sign of an eye injury. They can check for corneal damage and provide medication to prevent infection and reduce swelling while the eye heals.

To help avoid eye injuries, inspect your habitat for sharp branches or rocks around eye level and remove them. Never house bearded dragons together as fighting can lead to serious trauma.

How to Prevent Bearded Dragon Eye Problems

While some eye issues in bearded dragons can’t always be prevented, you can take steps to reduce problems:

• Offer a nutritious diet – Feed a varied diet with proper calcium/phosphorus ratios. Supplement with vitamin A.

• Maintain proper temperatures – Ensure your habitat stays within the ideal temperature range for digestion and immunity.

• Provide UVB lighting – Exposure to UVB light helps bearded dragons produce vitamin D3 to utilize calcium. Replace bulbs yearly.

• Monitor humidity – Eye caps shed easier when humidity is around 30-40%. Provide humid hides.

• Avoid loose substrates – Prevent eye irritants by using reptile carpets, paper towels, or tile instead of sand or bark.

• Quarantine new dragons – Isolate new reptiles for 30-45 days to prevent introducing eye infections.

• See a vet annually – Wellness exams allow early diagnosis of developing eye problems.

By recognizing common eye issues, seeking prompt treatment, and focusing on prevention, you can help keep your bearded dragon’s eyes healthy and clear. Pay attention for any eye changes and never hesitate to involve your exotic vet when you suspect an eye problem. With your attentive care, your bearded dragon can enjoy clear vision for many years.