Leopard Gecko Eye Infection: Signs, Causes, Prevention & Treatment

When I noticed my leopard gecko squinting and hiding more than usual, I thought he was just having an off day.

Turns out, it was something far more serious—an eye infection I nearly missed. If you own a gecko, this might be the warning you didn’t know you needed.

Signs of leopard gecko Eye Infection

If your gecko’s acting weird around its eyes, don’t ignore it. Eye infections can sneak up fast. And they won’t just go away on their own.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Eyes Staying Shut All Day

A healthy gecko keeps its eyes open when it’s alert. If your gecko is sitting with its eyes closed for hours—even during feeding time—that’s a red flag.

2. Swelling Around the Eyes

You might see puffiness above or below the eyes. Sometimes it looks like a soft bulge, other times it’s just slightly swollen. If one eye looks different from the other, something’s off.

3. Crust or Gunk

If you see sticky stuff, dried crust, or any kind of goo coming out of the eye—nope, that’s not normal. It could be pus, mucus, or just buildup from an infection.

4. Cloudy or Hazy Eye Surface

The eyeball should be clear and shiny. If it looks foggy, greyish, or like there’s a film over it, that’s usually a sign of trouble. Could be a scratch, damage, or early infection.

5. Rubbing or Scratching the Eyes

If your gecko keeps rubbing its head or eyes on the tank glass, rocks, or even with its own feet—something’s bothering it.

That’s its way of trying to “itch” the problem away.

6. Missing Food During Feeding

Eyesight matters when hunting. If your gecko is usually a sharp hunter but now can’t seem to aim properly—it might not be seeing clearly out of one or both eyes.

Common Causes of leopard gecko Eye Infections

Eye infections don’t just happen out of nowhere. Most of the time, something in the tank or care routine is to blame. Here’s what usually causes the problem:

How to Prevent Eye Infections in leopard geckos

1. Poor Shedding (Retained Shed Around the Eyes)

Sometimes geckos don’t shed fully.
If a tiny piece of old skin stays stuck near the eye, it can trap dirt and lead to irritation or infection.

2. Loose, Dusty Substrate

Sand, soil, or coconut fiber can easily get into their eyes.
If they dig a lot or if the tank gets dry, the dust can stick to the eyeball and cause problems.

3. Dirty Tank Conditions

If the tank isn’t cleaned often, bacteria builds up.
Your gecko lives low to the ground, so any dirt, waste, or uneaten food can lead to infections fast.

4. Vitamin A Deficiency

This is a sneaky one.
If your gecko isn’t getting enough Vitamin A, their eyes dry out, get inflamed, and become more likely to get infected.

5. Foreign Objects in the Eye

A small piece of shed skin, bark, or substrate can get stuck.
Your gecko can’t blink like we do, so it can’t just clear it out. That stuff stays there and causes irritation.

6. Injury or Scratches

They can get poked by rough decor, sharp edges, or even scratched by another gecko (if housed together).
An open scratch near the eye can turn into an infection fast.

7. Bacterial or Fungal Infections

Sometimes the problem is inside, not outside.
These infections can spread from other parts of the body, especially if the gecko has a weak immune system.

Even just one of these things can be enough to start a problem. Keep your setup clean, your diet balanced, and your gecko’s eyes open and happy.

Treatment Options

Once you know your gecko has an eye infection, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better the chances of saving the eye—and avoiding pain for your gecko.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Visit a Reptile Vet

This should always be your first move.

You’ll need a proper diagnosis. The vet might check for infections, vitamin deficiencies, or stuck shed. They’ll tell you exactly what kind of treatment your gecko needs.

2. Antibiotic or Antifungal Eye Drops

If the vet sees signs of infection, they’ll likely give medicated drops. You’ll have to apply them once or twice a day, usually for a week or two. It’s not fun, but it works.

3. Saline Rinse (If Vet-Approved)

Sometimes, the vet might suggest rinsing the eye with sterile saline solution. This helps flush out dirt or stuck shed, but don’t do this unless the vet says it’s safe.

4. Warm Soak to Remove Stuck Shed

If there’s skin stuck near the eye, a warm soak can help.

Let your gecko sit in shallow lukewarm water for 10–15 minutes. Then use a cotton swab to gently loosen the skin—only if you feel confident doing it.

5. Vitamin A Supplements

If the vet thinks there’s a vitamin deficiency, they’ll suggest a supplement. Don’t go overboard though—too much Vitamin A can be toxic.

6. Temporary Isolation

If your gecko shares its tank, separate it during treatment. This prevents stress, fighting, or further injury to the infected eye.

What NOT to Do

Don’t use human eye drops
Don’t poke or force open the eye
Don’t assume it’ll fix itself
Don’t rely on Google treatments alone

If you’re not sure what’s going on—see a vet. Waiting can turn a small issue into permanent damage.

When to See a Vet

Some issues you can handle at home. Eye infections aren’t one of them—at least not without expert help.

Here’s when it’s time to stop guessing and book that vet visit:

The eye has been shut for over 24 hours. Something’s wrong. A gecko doesn’t just keep one eye closed for no reason.
There’s visible discharge or pus. If you see yellow, white, or green gunk—it’s likely an infection that needs meds.
Swelling is getting worse. Puffiness around the eye that keeps growing? That’s a red flag.
The eye looks cloudy or damaged. Could be from stuck shed, a scratch, or even blindness starting. Needs a vet.
Your gecko stops eating. If it’s not hunting, not moving much, and its eyes look bad—it’s in pain or stressed.
You’ve tried home care but nothing’s improving. If it’s been a few days and your gecko still looks miserable, don’t wait longer.

Leopard Gecko Eye Infection: Signs, Causes, Prevention & Treatment