Why is Your Bearded Dragon Not Opening One Eye?

Bearded dragons are wonderful pets that require a lot of love and care. As with any pet, it’s important to watch out for any signs of illness that may arise. One of the most common issues that bearded dragon owners face is their pet not opening one eye. This can be a sign of a more severe underlying condition that needs to be addressed immediately. In this blog, we will discuss the causes and solutions of why your bearded dragon is not opening one eye.

Causes of Bearded Dragon Not Opening One Eye

There are several reasons why your bearded dragon may not be opening one eye. Some of the most common causes are as follows:

• Injury to the eye: This is a common issue that may arise from a fight with other bearded dragons, getting hurt by sharp objects or climbing on something that is too steep.
• Foreign particles or debris: If your bearded dragon has any foreign particles or debris in their eye, it may cause them to not open their eye. This can be anything from dust, sand, or bedding that has gotten into their eyes.
• Infection or inflammation: If your bearded dragon has an infection or inflammation in their eye, this may cause them to keep it closed. This can result from shedding, improper lighting, and hygiene issues.
• Eye Disease: Any type of eye disease can cause a bearded dragon to not open one eye. This can be anything from corneal ulcers to cataracts.

Solutions for When Your Bearded Dragon is Not Opening One Eye

Now that we know the causes of why your bearded dragon is not opening one eye let’s discuss some of the solutions.

Injury to the Eye

If your bearded dragon has a physical injury to their eye, the first step is to make sure that they are comfortable and not in any pain. If the injury is severe, you may need to take them to a veterinarian. For minor injuries, clean the eye with saline solution and observe the situation for a few hours. If after a few hours the Bearded dragon’s eye still remains closed or swollen, take them to a vet.

Foreign Particles or Debris

If there is any foreign substance such as dust, sand, or bedding in your bearded dragon’s eye, you can gently clean their eyelid with a wet cotton pad or cloth. Use saline solution to flush their eye regularly. It is important to do this gently, so you don’t cause any further irritation to the eye. If the debris cannot be removed, you can take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian.

Infection or Inflammation

If your bearded dragon’s eye is infected or inflamed, cleaning their eye regularly with saline solution will help. If the problem persists, consider calling your veterinarian for a checkup. Poor hygiene, lack of vitamin A, and UVB exposure as well as humidity changes may cause such infection.

Eye Disease

Eye diseases require more diagnosis and treatment than cleaning or flushing. If your bearded dragon is diagnosed with eye disease, your veterinarian may prescribe eye drops, antibiotics, or other treatments. Eye disease can progress quickly, so it’s always better to seek professional assistance at early stages.

Preventing Bearded Dragon Eye Problems

Preventing eye problems in bearded dragons is generally an easy task if the necessary precautions are taken. Here are a few tips to help prevent eye problems:

• Maintain proper hygiene by cleaning their housing and their water dishes regularly.
• Keep their tanks and terrariums free of dust and sand.
• Ensure that you have the correct heating and lighting in place to adequately promote hydration and temperature and to facilitate shedding.
• A balanced and diverse diet majorly comprising of insects, vegetables, and fruits will help supply your bearded dragon with the necessary nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin A which are essential for their ocular health.

Conclusion

Taking care of bearded dragons can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also requires some level of responsibility, patience, and knowledge. It’s essential to understand the underlying reasons behind the occurrence of health issues such as not opening one eye so you can take proper steps in such an instance. Remember that prevention is the best solution and regular checkups from a veterinarian can be useful to detect potential health issues early on. By following the tips discussed in this blog post, you can help ensure that your bearded dragon remains a happy and healthy pet for years to come.