photo-kerato-conjunctivitis

[Beardedragon]

This gos out to every uvb needing reptile owner. This is why you NEVER want compact bulbs. My new tortoise has pkc and I just got him today, so im starting the healing process. I see more and more people buying these compact bulbs as they become more popular. I think this would be a great sticky in all of the UVB reptile needing forums.

For a summary to those who do not like to read that much, the compact bulbs produce so much UVB in the first month to where it becomes harmful. So much that my friend says after a month its used up its entire years worth of uvb and is then deemed useless. After being exposed your reptile will stop opening its eyes

Here is to most popular compact bulb

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...t-100-uv-bulb/

Summary- This is a painful eye condition caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation.

Original article- has pictures

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

A small but increasing number of cases have been reported of pet reptiles which have developed the symptoms of photo-kerato-conjunctivitis, which is usually the result of abnormally high exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Typical symptoms included a refusal of the animals to open the eyes, lethargy and inappetance; many also stopped basking. More severely affected animals developed swollen eyelids, and a small number developed lesions resembling burns and exfoliation of the skin of the eyelids. (More information: "What is photo-kerato-conjunctivitis?")

Most of the affected reptiles recovered within 2 – 14 days once the lamps were removed, but we have now heard of five animals - three chameleons and two hatchling bearded dragons - which died before the cause of the problem was recognised. One of the chameleons which died also suffered severe skin damage, also believed to be caused by the lamp.

In previous years, we have heard of a few isolated cases; usually these have been following the positioning of an especially high-UVB lamp (such as certain types of mercury vapour lamp) particularly close to a species that does not normally bask in sunlight. However, there seems to have been a sudden increase in the number of cases reported, over the last 12 months, almost entirely associated with the use of specific brands of new “high output” UVB fluorescent lamps. Moreover, species which are known to bask in full sunlight, such as bearded dragons and red-eared-slider turtles, have been affected.

Photographs of some of the affected animals (from our case studies) are shown in figs. 1-4. The painful condition leads to a refusal to open the eyes, and in some cases, very swollen eyelids.

What is Photo Keratop Conjunctivitis?

This is a painful eye condition caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation.

It is exactly the same as "snow blindness" in skiers, from excessive UV reflected from snow, and "arc welder's flash" experienced by people working with metal welding equipment, who have not worn protective glasses. It is very painful - like having sand in your eyes - and it is caused by damage to the delicate transparent cells on the surface of the eye (the cornea) and the lining of the eyelids. Fortunately, only the superficial layers of the eye are affected; the lens and retina are not damaged (the UVB does not reach the deep structures of the eye) and so it does not cause permanent blindness.

The pain is protective (it makes sufferers close their eyes) and healing begins at once, when the harmful UV light is removed. Unless there have been serious burns, the eyes heal remarkably quickly. The damaged cells are replaced within days and the pain disappears.

Most cases open their eyes again within 2 - 3 days and all symptoms are gone within a week or so, with no medication being necessary. If there has been skin damage to the eyelids this may take a little longer and veterinary examination is essential in case the damaged skin has become infected. We have heard reports of some cases with a sticky discharge from the eye and/or peeling of the