What Is Wrong With The Eyes Of My Pet Bird?

Does your pet bird have red and swollen eyelids?

Is the inner part of the eye inflamed, the clarity of iris detail and pupil margin may be reduced?

Is there a swelling of the eyelids with blister-like formations?

Are the pupils of your bird irregularly shaped, the bird may be blind?

Conjunctivitis, a common eye disorder, is usually caused by bacteria and can be identified as red and swollen eyelids, and may lead to photosensitivity (avoidance of light) in the bird. Conjunctivitis is also a symptom of many other medical problems, including respiratory infections.

Uveitis causes inflammation of the inner parts of the eye. However, it is commonly associated with symptoms of other internal diseases in the bird. Uveitis in birds is most often associated with trauma, infections, immune-mediated diseases, and neoplasia. This particular disorder needs to be treated quickly to avoid cataracts from forming.

Avian Pox is an eye disorder that is found in birds, and is due to a viral infection. Though it is a generalized disease, the eye symptoms include swelling of the eyelids with blister-like formations and partial or total loss of vision. However, the eyeball is not affected by the infection and the vision usually returns after the infection is treated.

Marek’s disease is a particular type of eye disorder that is caused by a viral infection. This medical condition can lead to irregularly shaped pupils, iris problems blindness, and can progress into cancer. Vaccination can prevent this eye disorder from occurring. However, a bird that is already infected with the virus, cannot be cured.

Cataracts are common in birds and are associated with advanced age, trauma, and genetics. Cataracts develop in the bird’s eye when there is a deficiency in vitamin E, an infection with encephalomyelitis, or even from continuous exposure to some artificial lights. Many companion birds blinded by cataracts can maintain a satisfactory quality of life.