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There have been a lot of posts about what to do with hatchlings with eye deformities and the prevailing wisdom has been that as long as the gecko has eyelids and can close the eye, they can live a relatively normal life. I have a hatchling born a week ago with a pretty significant eye deformity. The back half of the upper eyelid is normal, but the front half looks almost fused to the orbit of the eye. Somehow I didn't notice this deformity when she was born, but realized it about a day later. By that time, I didn't even know if she had eyes or if she could see because the eyes looked sunken and gunky. Since then I have been gently washing her eyes with a drop of water (initially with a q tip and now with my finger). After a day of this, I was surprised to see 2 large and healthy looking eyes. It's really too soon to tell, she's just a week old and hasn't really caught on to eating yet, but neither has her clutchmate. She seems to be able to close her eyes at least partway and is currently the same size and activity level as her clutchmate who has no problems. My brother is a vet and is prepared to put her down humanely if I decide she isn't going to be OK. She has no other deformities except the eyes and is a beatiful albino who may be a hybino. Tonight I tested her in the light and her pupils definitely react to light.
My point is that if a person's philosophy includes keeping special needs geckos alive if they have a potential for a quality life (and to be honest, I really don't want to debate that in this thread), don't give up on the eye problems too soon.
Also, for anyone in the general New England, northeast corridor and eastern new york area, I will have a special needs gecko for free adoption in about 2 months if she continues to do well --I will not ship her but am on the road in these areas frequently and will deliver.
I don't have pictures because she is very small and I don't think I can pull off a closeup yet.
Aliza
My point is that if a person's philosophy includes keeping special needs geckos alive if they have a potential for a quality life (and to be honest, I really don't want to debate that in this thread), don't give up on the eye problems too soon.
Also, for anyone in the general New England, northeast corridor and eastern new york area, I will have a special needs gecko for free adoption in about 2 months if she continues to do well --I will not ship her but am on the road in these areas frequently and will deliver.
I don't have pictures because she is very small and I don't think I can pull off a closeup yet.
Aliza
