Dealing with eyelid deformities

[acpart]

This suggestion is not directed at people who prefer to cull hatchlings with deformities even if they may be able to have a decent quality life. We've already established that different breeders feel differently about this issue and that's fine with me.

For people who do decide to try to maintain geckos with deformities, I was first inspired to try this because of a post someone made here a few years ago where it seemed as if their hatchling actually developed eyelids over time. There were pictures to prove it. (http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=26217&highlight=eyelids) I have occasionally had hatchlings with notched eyelids and just had clutchmates born with the problem (they're so small, I'm not going to be able to get good pictures). What I've done in the past and continue to do with these little guys is to put a drop of water on my finger and then drip it into each eye. This forms a water drop over the eye. Initially I do this several times a day and in the past have been able to reduce it to once daily or even less frequently. I haven't exactly seen complete eyelids develop, but I have seen improvement in the ability to close the eye, ability to see and to feed independently and thriving geckos.
It's not for everyone, but just a suggestion of something to try. I would cull a gecko that didn't respond to this treatment and appears to be suffering.

Aliza

 

[acpart]

Update on my hatchlings with eyelid problems:
both these guys (born 6/12 and 6/15) had notched or incomplete eyelids, one worse than the other, and their eyes looked kind of like pop-eyes, though I think this was more due to the lack of complete eyelids than eye deformities. Within the first few days, one started keeping both eyes closed and one kept 1 eye closed. I have been doing the water drop treatment since they were born and although the eyes often remain closed, during the past few days I've seen all the eyes open at different times. I'm pretty sure that they can both see when the eyes are open. They are growing and pooping; I"m not sure to what extent they're eating independently; I've hand-feeding each of them 1-2 large mealworms a night. There's a good chance as they grow their eyes will be permanently open and they'll do well.

Aliza

 

[robin]

interesting. i wonder if sterile saline might be work a bit better since most water sources contain like chlorine, fluoride etc.

 

[acpart]

I'm sure sterile saline would be better, but they have had no ill effects from plain water and with plain water I can just do it every time I pass them instead of having to get out the saline.

Aliza

 

[Mel&Keith]

That's great that there's been improvement! Hopefully they continue on the path of growth and independence.