Common Eye Diseases in Parrots and Their Treatment

1 Overview

Common eye diseases in parrots and their treatment

1. Parrot keratitis

1) Causes: fights/pecks between parrots, scratches from cage objects, or infection. Corneal injury has three severities: superficial, deep, penetrating. Superficial heals without scar if treated; deep may leave scars and affect vision; penetrating is most severe and threatening.

2) Symptoms:

a) Superficial: tearing, photophobia.

b) Deep: eye congestion, tearing, prolonged closing, light sensitivity; worsening brings corneal clouding and pus.

c) Penetrating: fluid leaks, iris prolapse, and worsening infection can cause purulent keratitis.

3) Treatment: move the bird to dim light, check for foreign objects and remove them. If it struggles, have help hold it with a towel, flush with saline or warm water, then apply antibiotic eye drops.

2. Parrot conjunctivitis

1) Causes are complex — trauma, vitamin deficiency, bacterial/viral infection, parasites; also common.

2) Symptoms: conjunctival redness, tearing, swollen lids, more discharge; severe cases lids stick, hard to open.

3) Treatment: move to dim light, flush with 2–3% boric acid or saline, then chloramphenicol eye drops 3–6 times daily; give vitamin A and B2; improves soon.

3. Parrot cataract

1) Causes complex, mostly uveal inflammation; also congenital defects, genetics, vitamin E deficiency, eye injury.

2) Symptoms: cloudy eyes, blurred vision, corneal edema, scleral bleeding, pus, frequent blinking, more discharge.

3) Treatment: usually precise surgery.

Cataracts are mainly prevented — good housing, clean cage and surroundings, stop fights, regular checks; greatly lowers eye-disease risk.

The author’s introduction to common parrot eye diseases ends here; we hope owners actively prevent them.