A sunken eye appears to sink back into the socket. There is some deflation visible on their faces. Chameleon eyes are normally rounded and appear under pressure.
Dehydration causes sunken eyes. Chameleons do not have enough water in their bodies. As most of the eye comprises water, this is clearly visible in the eyes.
This is a sign of severe dehydration and should be taken seriously.
Description of Chameleons Sunken Eye
Chameleons should have bulging eyes that are bright and alert, constantly scanning their surroundings. You might see a dark ring of the eye socket around the eye turret when an eye sinks into it for many reasons.
Even though a sunken eye is not necessarily a panic situation or something that requires immediate attention, it is a window into what is going on within your chameleon.
Eyes that are sunken in and there are no other external signs of trouble are usually simply a warning to monitor the situation.
Chameleon eyes can be sunken when there is stress, dehydration, or internal distress. If you see sunken eyes, you need to look for other clues about what might be causing it.
Meaning
The appearance of sunken eyes indicates high levels of stress. Physical or emotional stress can cause this.
Cause of Chameleons Sunken Eye
Humidity is low
There is no humidity gauge in use
It's too hot
Limited access to safe drinking water
An illness
Possibilities of Chameleons Sunken Eye
Chameleon is stressed and ready to fight
The chameleon is stressed due to sickness
Chameleon is exhausted from physical exertion
Chameleons are dehydrated
Symptoms of Chameleons Sunken Eye
An eye turret that ordinarily protrudes from the eye socket is reduced to show the outline of the eye socket instead. You can easily identify it.
Finding out why this is happening is a challenge since there are a variety of causes ranging from benign to potentially fatal.
Chameleon's eyes are full and bulbous.
Chameleon Trioceros quadricornis is a new import. As her face is covered in rub marks, she has been under stress during a rough journey.
Undoubtedly, she is also dehydrated. As the chameleon's health improves, its sunken eyes will gradually fill back in. Chameleons with sunken eyes indicate they are recovering well.
Kinyongia multituberculate is in perfect health, but the eyes are sunken more than they should be. Since it was a cold night, his eyes returned to normal once he warmed up.
Chameleons do not all react the same way to conditions. The chameleons are all individuals, and you will soon learn their individual mannerisms.
Besides the sunken eyes, this female panther chameleon is suffering from egg binding, which is causing her serious distress. If the eggs are not removed, this female is in mortal danger.
In this female Trioceros deremensis, the sunken eyes show internal distress because of a respiratory infection.
It is in a state of high aggression, as you can see in this male panther chameleon. We don't know why he pulled his eyes in.
Stress is to blame?
To protect the eyes from damage?
Exists an internal condition that is independent of the current state of defense?
The sunken eyes are merely a notice that something is going on and that more work needs to be done to identify the problem.
Treatment of Chameleons Sunken Eye
Chameleons with sunken eyes should be treated right away. You can mist it with water or force it to drink with a pipette. The chameleon needs water as soon as possible.
Reptile veterinarians can also give the chameleon an IV with an isotonic solution to get its body hydrated quickly.
Next, we need to prevent this from happening again. The way you are providing water to your chameleon is not working. The water you provide does not seem to be sufficient for it to drink. A second water source should be added.
Additionally, you should keep the environment much more humid by increasing the air humidity. If you come across a chameleon with sunken eyes that belong to someone else, inform them that the chameleon needs water.
