Why does my chameleon have a swollen eye?
The most common reason for swollen eye(s) in chameleons is hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency). Other things that can cause a swollen eye are a traumatic injury, parasitic problems, infection and tumor, to name some.
When to worry about a chameleon’s eyesight?
It’s only when symptoms persist more than 24 hours that you should be worried. Chameleons rely heavily on their eyesight, so if you notice that your chameleon’s eye seems swollen or demonstrates another other symptom, make an appointment with a certified reptile veterinarian immediately.
What kind of vision does a chameleon have?
This gives a higher resolution of focus. Scientists used to believe chameleons used stereopsis, the combining of images taken from each eye, to focus on their prey. Now there is evidence that chameleons perceive depth by taking information from just one eye, hence the monocular vision.
How does a chameleon keep its eye clean?
They will likely flush out the eye and prescribe a saline solution and antibiotic. Wild chameleons keep themselves clean via rain in the wild. In captivity, regular misting/showers is one of the best ways to help your chameleon keep their eyes clean. Read more at the Chameleon Breeder Podcast.
Where is the nictitating membrane on a chameleon?
There is a small membrane called the nictitating membrane that acts similar to an eyelid. This is on the side of the eye closest to the chameleon’s nose and this moves across the pupil to aid cleaning of the eyeball.
What are chameleons eyes?
The eyes of the chameleon provide 360 degree vision due to unique eye anatomy and an ability to transition between monocular and binocular vision. Chameleons have a distinctive visual system that enables them to see their environment in almost 360 degrees (180 degrees horizontally and +/-90 degrees vertically).
