What are Blindness?
While there are many reasons why your bird may go blind, they adapt quickly as the condition progresses. Many owners are not aware that their bird is blind until their avian veterinarian points it out. if your bird is blind, don’t go rearranging their perches as this will confuse them. They will know where their dishes and roosting perches are from memory, so the key point is to leave their environment as they are used to. When you approach them, give them a warning such as talking to them, to let them know you are approaching, otherwise they may panic.
There are many factors which might affect your bird’s eyesight causing blindness, but generally, your pet bird will adjust perfectly and adapt particularly well.
Symptoms of Blindness in Birds
Often it is not easy to determine if your bird is going blind unless it is linked to disease which then makes it obvious.
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Ruffled feathers
- Blinking more than usual in an attempt to focus on distant objects
- Red weeping eyes
- Gritty flaking skin around the eye
- Feathers growing into the eye area
- Swelling around the eye area
- A discharge from the eyes
Types
Vision loss can be partial or total loss and can affect one or both eyes, but a domesticated bird will adapt quickly to this condition.
Causes of Blindness in Birds
- Vitamin deficiency is a cause of eye disorders
- Both Vitamin E and A assist with vision and are required in adequate doses for the healthy development of the eye – check your bird’s diet to ensure a quality level of feed is being provided
- Age can be a factor
- Bacterial infections such as salmonella can lead to more serious problems including partial or total blindness – as birds seem to react quickly to infections, taking action to provide relief immediately is advised
- Cataracts are usually age related and can often affect both eyes and can cause blindness if not treated
- Fungal infections can also lead to vision impairment – often caused through moldy food
- Scratches and physical injury such as a scratch to the eye can be a cause of vision loss
- Conjunctivitis can also create vision problems
Diagnosis of Blindness in Birds
If your bird is displaying any of the symptoms above, then it is vital that you take your friend to see the avian specialist. He will examine your bird thoroughly and prescribe treatment. Birds seem to have a fast response to illness, if they are sick they go downhill fast. But once treated they can recover just as quickly. If you have a sick bird on your hands, don’t wait until tomorrow as it may be too late to help them. Act now and nip any illness in the developing stages.
While nothing can restore your bird’s eyesight once it is totally lost, clearing up any infections or disease will make his life a lot more pleasant and enjoyable. Removal of cataracts and clearing up the conjunctivitis may help your bird to regain partial or full sight if they have been the cause of the loss of vision. Your avian doctor will also check for other signs of disease such as atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries that can lead to central nervous system signs such as seizures and vision loss.
Treatment of Blindness in Birds
In most cases there is no treatment for blindness in birds but with the assistance of your veterinarian, clearing up any health-related issues may improve any remaining vision. Your bird can form cataracts very quickly, often within weeks as opposed to humans where it can often take years. This formation of the cataract can very quickly lead to blindness. Antibiotics or other medications such as anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to clear up your bird’s eyes and system.
Warm eye compresses can be used to clear up infection and crusting around the eyes. Using natural aloe vera juice right from the plant and at room temperature makes soothing healing drops to the eye to assist vision health – just ensure that you keep the plant portion in the refrigerator during the course of treatment, and warm it to room temperature before use. While vision loss is a huge thing for a human, your bird and especially the parrot species, will just adjust and get on with his life. Ensuring your bird has adequate ventilation and that your bird is not being crowded out in his cage will safeguard his well being as he goes about his daily life.
Recovery of Blindness in Birds
Once your bird has been diagnosed as officially blind, management of his care and environment is all you can do. Keeping your bird healthy with a quality diet, and allowing him lots of space in his cage without overcrowding will help him to maintain a quality of life. You will find that his blindness won’t concern your bird, if he feels safe (don’t creep up on him - always give a warning of your approach).
Leave his perches, bowls and toys where he remembers them, and he will be happy. Keeping the cage in a hygienic condition without using toxic chemicals to clean it will ensure he remains healthy. Because of their small size, a little bit of chemical that wouldn’t affect us will assuredly affect him. So be aware, and protect your little friend as he adjusts to a sightless life.
Blindness Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My budgie acts like she suddenly can't see when she could see perfectly just 30 minutes ago. Is there any reason I should be worried? She is still very young only getting her a few months ago as a young bird. What could have happened?
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My umbrella cockatoo has been blind in one eye since we got him he has always been very clumsy and falls a lot he also mutilates his feathers I have taken him to the vet and he has had blood work done and everything has come back normal my question is do you think he eats his feathers because he is blind in one eye and is his clumbysness because he is blind in one eye? I can't put a cone on his head or a dress like thing to stop his plucking because he is blind in the one eye and he becomes more clumsy and I'm afraid he will get really hurt from a fall. Any suggestions on what I can do to stop him eating his feathers
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My green cheek conure had a traumatic injury and was giving a dose of dexamethasone, he recovered from the injury but unable to see. Feels like he might be able to see some because sometimes he is still able to find where i am, or maybe he was just following the sound. For sure he can't see any of his food. I was wondering if the medication is the cause of blindness, such as intraocular pressure, if there is any medication can be used to decrease the pressure.
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Hi, I have a white fronted amazon, and I've recently noticed that one of his eyes has a slightly light colour to it, you can tell it's not as dark as the other one, should I be concerned? Is it catarat? I haven't noticed if it's affected his vision, all I see is the difference in colour. I can't remember how long we've had him but he's young. We probably adopted him around 7 years ago. And he doesn't look old.
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hi so I found a domestic indian parrot in a street in saudi arabia and when I took it to the vet he told me the bird was blind and that the bird will not survive long due to depression is there a way to help this parrot see again or to help him survive longer the bird is an adult
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My parrot (18 y/o) has gone blind lately,he also can’t fly anymore.i dont have a chance to make a checkup on him (since there’s no avian doctor in my city) but i would love to know what food should i give to him to keep him healthy?he eats with us but also eats parrot food.he also has problem with neck and i would love to make a brace but i’m not sure about that.Thanks :)
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I have a rainbow lorikeet and he scratched his eye by rubbing it against the cage and now has a cloudy growth over eye. he has been to the vet and had it treated for infection but he said nothing about the growth. will it go away or can it be removed, or do we leave it there will it hurt him in the long run. his other eye is fine and seems to get around ok.
Thanks
Tracey
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