beardie's eye is watering, looks like he's crying

[Gingerofthenight]

lately i have noticed that my beardie mushu has had some problems with watery eyes. occasionally i will see his right eye welled up with "tears". i try my best to gently wipe his eyes with a tissue to help him out but it doesn't seem to help for long. his eye looks completely normal, not swollen or red or anything but it looks like his eyelid is shedding a little and i think that might be the problem, i did get some of it out of his eye but there could still be some. either that or he has some sand in his eye, he has been digging around in his sand box a lot lately and he shoves his face in the sand. is there anything i can/should do to help him? i am a broke college student and i have no money for a vet and even if i did it is closed because of covid.

 

[KarrieRee]

Sounds like hes got sand in the eye ---- I would take the sand box out for now and rinse his eye out w/ some saline solution and see if it quits watering --- shed too could cause the eye irritation as well -- are you using any colored bulbs in the tank or coil UVB's ?
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

Sounds like hes got sand in the eye ---- I would take the sand box out for now and rinse his eye out w/ some saline solution and see if it quits watering --- shed too could cause the eye irritation as well -- are you using any colored bulbs in the tank or coil UVB's ?
Karrie

i have a tube uvb

 

[KarrieRee]

Tube is it a T 5 or a T 8- distance is key here
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

Tube is it a T 5 or a T 8- distance is key here
Karrie

it is a t8 and can i use human eyedrops for him

 

[KarrieRee]

You want to use a saline solution like for contacts - not sure if human eye drops are the same - so I would make sure its saline -- the T 8 is inside your tank and approx 8-10 inches from basking decor piece w/ NO plastic cover over the bulb is this correct?
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

You want to use a saline solution like for contacts - not sure if human eye drops are the same - so I would make sure its saline -- the T 8 is inside your tank and approx 8-10 inches from basking decor piece w/ NO plastic cover over the bulb is this correct?
Karrie

it is resting on the top of my tank but has a plastic cover

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so you need to get that into your tank -- take the plastic cover off the bulb you want it exposed as of now hes hardly getting any UVB--- w/ it on top of the screen its being blocked by 30% and w/ the cover on over the bulb even more so ---- you want it inside the tank and approx 8-10 inches from basking decor piece --- here are some things you can hang the fixture w/
3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line --- shoe laces or potted plant hangers
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

Ok so you need to get that into your tank -- take the plastic cover off the bulb you want it exposed as of now hes hardly getting any UVB--- w/ it on top of the screen its being blocked by 30% and w/ the cover on over the bulb even more so ---- you want it inside the tank and approx 8-10 inches from basking decor piece --- here are some things you can hang the fixture w/
3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire – long plastic zip ties-- fishing line --- shoe laces or potted plant hangers
Karrie

so the problem could be he is not getting enough uv light?

 

[KarrieRee]

Not so much the eye issue but its going to help w/ alot of other heath issues -- at this point hes probably having a hard time absorbing the calcium hes consuming not to mention MBD --- UVB is extremely important to their over all health --- sometimes bulbs are used like colored or coils that cause eye issues along w/ other issues --- like not eating etc.............. see if you notice a difference in his behavior after you get the UVB in his tank --- same w / the poops --- if they are runny etc... also if the bulb is 6 months or older please replace it -- they expire at 6 months - its good to change it out about a month before
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

Not so much the eye issue but its going to help w/ alot of other heath issues -- at this point hes probably having a hard time absorbing the calcium hes consuming not to mention MBD --- UVB is extremely important to their over all health --- sometimes bulbs are used like colored or coils that cause eye issues along w/ other issues --- like not eating etc.............. see if you notice a difference in his behavior after you get the UVB in his tank --- same w / the poops --- if they are runny etc... also if the bulb is 6 months or older please replace it -- they expire at 6 months - its good to change it out about a month before
Karrie

i dont think i will be able to get the uvb in his tank because he will be able to touch it but i will take the plastic cover off which should help

 

[KarrieRee]

--- taking the plastic cover would not be enough ----------- how tall is the tank ?
I would then recommend you get a T 5 -- you would however need to buy another fixture and the T 5 bulb then you could have it sit on top of screen ---
Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

--- taking the plastic cover would not be enough ----------- how tall is the tank ?
I would then recommend you get a T 5 -- you would however need to buy another fixture and the T 5 bulb then you could have it sit on top of screen ---
Karrie

it's around 16 inches tall but i have a mesh screen and his basking spot is a couple inches off the ground

 

[KarrieRee]

So if you strap the UVB to the mesh you would have enough room -- you only need 8-10 inches from the UVB from the basking decor piece -- the basking bulb dont need to sit side by side --- you can place it in the middle of tank towards the back -- w/ decor piece under it - what are your basking temps ? 95-110 taken w/ a digital probe correct ? NO stick ons they only give ambient temps and not actual basking temps- it is ideal to have the basking area w/ both of the bulbs UVB and basking but not necessary -- he will go to the light he needs --

Karrie

 

[Gingerofthenight]

Good news i washed out his eye with some sterile drops and it turns out he just had a little bit of sand in his eye but i got it out and he seems like he is feeling better