The most exciting thing about a leopard gecko is its eyes. The big, cute eyes set leos apart from other gecko species and give them that endearing appearance.

However, despite these lizards having big adorable eyes, they are also prone to conditions that are likely to cause inflammation and swelling.

If your leopard gecko has swollen eyes, it might be due to various reasons that include lack of vitamin A, parasite issues, infections, retained shed, and topical irritants and aerosols.

Knowing what is causing the gecko’s eyes to swell will allow you to provide the best care for it and know when to seek the advice of an exotic vet. Many eye problems, however, are entirely avoidable if the animal’s environment is kept in pristine condition.

5 Causes Of Swelling Eyes In Leopard Geckos

1. Pinkeye/Conjunctivitis

This ailment is characterized by inflammation of the tissue that borders the eyelids of a leopard gecko, and it can be transmitted from gecko to gecko.

Usually, destructive bacteria infiltrate the conjunctiva, leading to what is known as bacterial conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is most commonly associated with leos living in an unclean and filthy environment. Eventually, if this condition isn’t treated, it can cause blindness in both eyes.

2. Retained Shed

One of the significant problems in leopard geckos is problematic shedding. So, if your leopard gecko has shed its skin and it starts to have inflamed eyes, you should inspect it to see whether it’s because of retained skin around its eyes.

Although retained shed is not a disease, it may lead to an infection, which may cause eye inflammation.

When a leo experiences problematic shedding, a lump of dead skin will develop over the affected eye. If this plug is not removed, it will clog the eyes, causing irreversible damage, inflammation, or even blindness.

3. Trauma/Injuries

Leopard Geckos, like many other reptiles, are prone to eyelid injuries. These lizards have eyelids that can move and are lined with a thin layer of skin.

Despite leopard geckos being housed in controlled environments, they may sustain injuries for various reasons.

For starters, if you keep more than one lizard in the cage, they might engage in fights, leading to eye injuries.

Additionally, leos might hurt their eyes if they fall on a sharp surface and materials like sand, branches, walnut shells, peat moss, or dusty mulch.

Reptiles often get scratches, bites, or scrapes on their eyelids, which can lead to swelling and infection. At times, the eyes can sustain extensive damage to the extent they’ll need surgical treatment.

4. Eye Abscesses

An abscess is another reason leopard geckos may have inflamed or swollen eyes. These abscesses form beneath the eyeball, causing some swelling in that area.

In addition, Leos can get abscesses from bugs bites or scratches from sharp indoor items, such as the tank or branches.

Gram-bacterial isolates are also linked to abscesses in leos. Unfortunately, blemishes caused by these bacterial are hard to treat. It’s also crucial to note that conjunctivitis and vitamin A deficiency may also lead to pseudo abscesses.

5. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions can cause swelling in most parts of the leo’s body, including the eyes. In addition, leopard geckos may have allergies to certain types of food, bedding, or cleaning products.

Allergic reactions may also be due to exposure to irritants such as smoke, pollution, or chemicals.

If you suspect your leopard gecko’s eye swelling is due to infection, injury, or an allergic reaction, it is crucial to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

An experienced reptile veterinarian can determine the cause of the swelling and provide appropriate treatment.

Can You Prevent Eye Swelling In Leopard Geckos?

While some swellings come naturally due to unpreventable infections, you can do a few things to prevent eye inflammation and swelling in geckos.

• Keep the terrarium clean: The presence of infectious germs, parasites, or fungi in a dirty cage is another reason to maintain a spotless enclosure. Therefore, you must keep the tank clean and give the animal plenty of food and water daily.
• Handle your leopard gecko carefully: if you handle your leopard gecko roughly or try to squeeze it, you could end up injuring the animal’s eyes.
• Don’t keep more than one lizard in a cage: When geckos are housed together, they can engage in fierce fights as they compete for space or food and end up injuring each other eyes.
• Keep substances that may trigger allergic reactions away from leopard geckos. Get your leopard gecko checked out by a professional if you think it might be allergic to something. Substrates that produce dust should be avoided at all costs
• Remove all sharp objects and material from the leo’s cage: Sharp branches, rocks, and other accessories should be removed.

By doing these things, you can help keep leopard geckos healthy and make sure their eyes don’t get swollen.

How Can You Treat Swollen Eye In Leopard Geckos?

Treatment for swollen eyes in leopard geckos will depend on the cause of the swelling. However, here are some general guidelines for treating swollen eyes in leopard geckos:

• Infection: If your veterinarian suspects that the swelling results from an infection, they may prescribe antibiotics or other drugs to treat the infection and alleviate it. To guarantee a speedy and complete recovery, it is crucial to strictly adhere to the suggested treatment plan and take the medication as directed.
•  Injury and trauma: If the swelling is because of an injury, your vet may suggest gently cleaning the eye and keeping it out of harm’s way. If the damage to the eye has gone overboard, a vet might need to perform a surgical procedure to fix it.
• Allergic reactions: In the case of an allergic reaction, you’ll need to keep the lizard away from the allergen that triggered the response. If your veterinarian cannot determine what is causing your pet’s allergic reaction, they may recommend antihistamines or other drugs to alleviate the swelling.

In all cases, following your veterinarian’s recommendations and providing your leopard gecko with a clean, safe environment to support its recovery is essential.

If you can’t identify the cause of the swelling or the swelling does not improve with treatment, it is important to seek additional veterinary care as soon as possible.