Eye Infection

Well about a week ago I figured out it was a vitamin A deficiency. She used to be in a smaller cage that didn't need a cover but when we put her in the bigger cage the UVB light was going through a screen and she wasn't getting all of it. We cut a whole in the screen under the light. Took her to the vet yesterday and she agreed and gave us an ointment to use twice a day.

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Originally Posted by reptile_lover07

Well about a week ago I figured out it was a vitamin A deficiency. She used to be in a smaller cage that didn't need a cover but when we put her in the bigger cage the UVB light was going through a screen and she wasn't getting all of it. We cut a whole in the screen under the light. Took her to the vet yesterday and she agreed and gave us an ointment to use twice a day.

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Leopard geckos dont need uva or uvb at all. They get all they need from the dusting of calcium in their food. The lights are a waste of money as they are a nocturnal species.

+1
They are, as stated above, nocturnal or at least crepuscular (coming out at dusk and dawn). They do not forage during daylight hours and they do not bask during daylight hours...their bodies and eyes are not made to process direct sunlight. They get their nutrition from what they eat, all the vitamins and minerals they need come from what they eat with no need for UVB/A absorption from the sun. Too much (like a bulb) can do more harm than good...they can develop skin and eye issues.

I really think you should not use the bulb, especially since there are eye issues already.

As long as your feeders are properly gutloaded and you are supplementing with calcium, calcium with D3 and vitamins/minerals there is no need for any light (except ambient room light to create a day/night cycle of course).

Why/how did you determine it was a vitamin A deficiency anyway? Sunlight has nothing to do with vitamin A, it's all about vitamin D absorption??
Feed your crickets/worms carrots, they have vitamin A and will pass it to the Leo.