Red Eye in Birds

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Red Eye in Birds

By: Dr. Barbara Oglesbee

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Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Treatment In-depth

There are many causes of red appearing eyes and the cause must be identified for proper treatment. Diseases that can cause severe destruction of the eye and/or sinuses, such as Aspergillosis, many bacterial infections or neoplasia (cancer) will require hospitalization and extensive, long term treatment. On the other hand, birds with eye disease and no other symptoms can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Until diagnosis has been completed, treatment of symptoms might be needed, especially if the problem is severe. The following treatments may be applicable to some, but not all birds with red eyes. These treatments may reduce severity of symptoms or provide relief for your pet:

Removing any lodged foreign object by flushing the eye or using forceps will provide relief.

Antibiotics or antifungal therapy is often given both systemically (by mouth or injection) and topically (by instilling antibiotics directly into the eye. Often, this therapy must be continued for weeks or, in the case of Aspergillosis, months. Many of the medications can only be administered by injection.

Cleaning dried exudate or secretions from the nasal cavities and/or sinuses can be accomplished by flushing the sinuses with a saline solution. If the material is dried, it may be cleaned out with forceps under magnification. This process sometimes requires general anesthesia.

Surgical removal of tumors under general anesthesia. Occasionally, an entire tumor can be removed completely, resulting in a cure. This is only likely to occur with small, benign tumors. The eye may have to be removed entirely (enucleated). Most types of cancer that occur in the eyes of birds, however, are malignant and invasive. These tumors are extremely destructive and cannot be entirely removed. Partial removal (debulking) may offer temporary comfort and provide tissue from which a diagnosis may be obtained (biopsy).

Diseases that cause severe destruction of the orbit and sinuses, such as neoplasia (cancer) or Aspergillosis (fungal infection), may prove to be fatal despite any treatment attempts.

Birds that are dehydrated may require fluid therapy, administered by injection under the skin (subcutaneous) or intravenously.

For mild conjunctival irritation and to prevent future problems, the environment may be modified by:

Removing environmental irritants, such as dust, cigarette smoke or bird dander

Humidifying the air in the bird's environment

Providing filtration of the air in the bird's immediate environment (HEPA filter)

Providing a high-quality diet, rich in vitamins

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