Just like you and I, birds can develop parrot eye problems. What do you do if your bird has eye problems or discharge?
While parrot eye problems are painful, they are usually not imminently life threatening. However, the underlying condition, such as conjunctivitis, sinusitis, mites or other problems can progress fast and can be deadly. Minor problems can become big problems quickly so get your bird to the vet ASAP. Your goal is to prevent the condition from worsening and to prevent permanent blindness.
Take a good look at your birds’ eye when it is normal. You’ll note a bright, clear eye-ball with open eye-lids and no discharge like the lovebirds eye on the left.
If you notice that your bird is experiencing parrot eye problems, see if you can get someone to help you capture it and carefully examine the eye area. Get a towel to restrain your bird and a flash light and a magnifying glass to assist you in examining your bird’s eyes.
Gently capture your bird and restrain it holding the effected eye up. Using the flashlight and magnifying glass, look for discharge from the eye and determine if the cornea is cloudy or opaque looking. If so, take your bird to the veterinarian quickly. Keep your bird out of drafts or direct sunlight until you can get medical treatment. Self-medicating with over the counter medications is not recommended until your vet determines the cause of the eye problem.
If you don’t see any discharge, gently open the birds’ eye and look for a foreign body. Foreign bodies like a seed husk can be painful. Flush the eye out well with sterile saline solution or eye wash. You can use a syringe filled with sterile water if you don’t have eye wash available. Gently open and close the eye lids to work the foreign body toward the corn of the eye or to make it more visible. Once you see the foreign body, use a moistened cotton ball to gently wipe the item away. Be extremely careful not to scratch your birds’ eye.
You’ll want to get your bird to the veterinarian as soon as you suspect a parrot eye probelm, preferably the same day, to avoid further vision deterioration. You may moisten a cotton ball with saline solution to hold to the eye keeping moist while you transport your bird to the vet.
Burkett, Greg. Avian First Aid: Be Your Bird's First Responder! DVD .
Hawcroft, Tim. First Aid for Birds: The Essential, Quick Reference Guide. Howell Book House. 1994.
http://www.azeah.com/Care-Sheets.asp?id=149
http://www.azeah.com/Care-Sheets.asp?id=152
http://www.azeah.com/Care-Sheets.asp?id=186
http://www.critters360.com/index.php/sinusitis-in-birds-signs-and-treatments-15376/
Contact your avian vet if you suspect parrot eye problems.