My gecko has shed stuck in his eye and won't be handled. What now?

This looks like it may be a retained eyelid lining from an improper shed. It would be best to have him examined by a vet. Eyes are very delicate and you can really damage the eyeball if you treat him incorrectly at home.

Crested geckos don't "need" UVB lighting as long as they are fed a diet adequate in vitamin D3. Soak or mist him with warm water to help facilitate shedding. The cloudiness may be related to the shed or it may be due to infection or trauma. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended if the cloudiness does not resolve after the shed is complete.

He may have a retained eye cap which could be the cause of those symptoms. Check temps in the cage. Low temps may affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide warmth and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. It may also help is he has any residual shed. You can also massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. I see you use sand as a substrate, so an impaction is always a concern. Pick up some Fluker's Repta Boost or Oxbow Carnivore Care from the local pet store. This is a better option than baby food. If he doesn't start eating in the next few days or if the eye does not improve, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Thanks for reaching out about Firkle and including a photo. Vitamin A deficiencies are commonly involved with ocular changes. The deficiency can lead to changes in skin cells (cornea, toes, etc) that affect shedding and can lead to secondary infections. Besides improving the diet, the eyes should be cleaned out during a veterinary visit, and antibiotics prescribed. Warm water soaks can help with the toes to soften the skin, and gently remove. Good luck.

She may have had a retained eye cap that came off and caused injury to her cornea. This can happen during difficult sheds. Only an experienced herp vet or veterinary ophthalmologist can make this diagnosis after a close and thorough eye exam. Lilith should be examined as soon as you can get an appointment. Keep the eye clear of debris by rinsing with plain saline several times daily until you see a veterinarian.

From the picture it looks more like inflamed and ulcerated tissue then extra shed, but pictures can be deceiving. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon, before he becomes too sick. He will likely need antibiotics. Also double check that your temperature and humidity are appropriate, and that he is getting good night and daylight cycles (too long light cycles can cause stress). A good resource is www.anapsid.org Good luck and I hope he improves soon!

Sometimes, the eyes will appear bulged just before shedding. This happens to both eyes though, not just one. Spyro's eye appears to be infected. This can be due to trauma, retained shed or foreign body (sand, wood, etc.). Ideally, Spyro should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. The eye can be stained to diagnose corneal injury and flushed to remove any debris. If there is a retained eye cap, the vet may be able to remove it.