UV Bulb damaging chamaleon?

[cgabriel65]

Hi people.
I have a Veiled Chamaleon...with less than 1 year, i bought an UV-B bulb 6.0 but since I put the Bulb he doesnt open his eyes, im afraid that the bulb has damaged his eyes, altough he is active, he can't eat or drink because of his eyes...please i need urgently help ;s

-The terrarium is 45 cm high and the bulb is placed 20 cm above the cage
-The Bulb have 23 W...230 V power, is a trixie Reptiland tropic pro compact 6.0

Hope i get some help

 

[carol5208]

I would try a different UVB bulb. Seeing that you say since you put the bulb in he started closing his eyes, then more than likely that is the cause. Change it out, if he opens his eyes problem solved! If he doesn't, then there are other things to be addressed such as a Vitamin A deficiency.

 

[cgabriel65]

Thanks carol, i will do a test taking the UV bulb a while and see if he opens the eyes in a day.
I would like that somebody can tell if the power of the bulb is too much in this case, and point other reasons for this problem (;

 

[carol5208]

As a general rule a 5.0-6.0 bulb should not cause harm to a chameleon's eyes, even a baby. Being a compact, could be part of the problem, but not for sure. There are many people who use the compacts without incidence, and others who say the compacts bother their chameleons eyes. Many, many, years ago Zilla(brand name) put out a compact bulb that was emitting too much uvb and it cause damage and even blindness in some reptiles. Due to this, it has created somewhat of a stigma about compacts. Many members will tell you though, they use them quite successfully. What brand are you using?

 

[bradley]

As said it could be the light. It could be the compact. Personally I would always use tubes. They give much better uv coverage that is more natural. I personally use 12% high output T5 bulbs on my chameleons and don't have eye issues so the strength you have shouldn't be causing it. It may be giving off the wrong spectrum.

 

[cgabriel65]

Trixie Reptiland tropic pro compact 6.0 Carol (;

Hmmm maybe, its strange because i have bought the bulb last weak, but could be a fabric defect

Thanks guys

 

[carol5208]

Honestly, never heard of that brand and do not really know of many that use it. Most use Reptisun and Arcadia is very popular too. I cannot comment on that brand as I know nothing about it.

 

[cgabriel65]

Here goes a photo of the chamaleon