Turtle Eye Infection: Home Remedy, Prevention and Diagnosis

This post was created with help from AI tools and carefully reviewed by a human (Muntaseer Rahman). For more on how we use AI on this site, check out our Editorial Policy.

I still remember the panic when my turtle wouldn’t open one eye—was it just sleepiness or something serious?

Turns out, eye infections in turtles are more common than you’d think, and the signs are easy to miss… until it’s too late.

Here’s what I learned the hard way—and how you can prevent it.

Need To Talk With A Turtle Vet Right Now?

What Causes Turtle Eye Infections?

Dirty Water Is Enemy #1

If the water stinks, your turtle’s eyes are going to pay the price. Bacteria and grime build up fast. Especially if your filter is weak or you skip cleaning day.

Vitamin A Deficiency Sneaks Up

Most people don’t realize how important vitamin A is. Turtles need it for healthy eyes. Feed only pellets for weeks and boom—swollen eyelids show up like uninvited guests.

Want to learn about Care + Turtle Health without the extra fluff? We keep it straightforward. Beware: 5 Common Household Items That Can Harm Your Turtle

Bad Lighting and Heating

No UVB? No basking spot? That’s a recipe for sickness. Without proper light and heat, their immune system crashes. And their eyes are the first to wave the white flag.

Physical Injury

Rough tankmates, sharp decor, or even getting stuck somewhere—they all can lead to scratches or swelling. Sometimes it’s just bad luck.

Fungus and Bacteria

They love warm, dirty tanks. Especially when the turtle’s already stressed. Once they get in the eyes, it’s hard to clear up without treatment.

Common Signs to Watch For

Eyes Stay Shut

If your turtle’s eyes won’t open, that’s not a nap—it’s a problem. They’re either in pain or the eyelids are swollen shut.

Swollen or Puffy Eyelids

Look closely. If the eyelids are puffed up like little marshmallows, something’s wrong. It’s one of the first red flags.

Constant Eye Rubbing

When they keep rubbing their eyes with their front legs, they’re trying to tell you something. And it’s not “I’m fine.”

Not Eating

Turtles with eye problems often stop eating. Why? Because they can’t see the food, or they feel miserable. Either way, it’s a bad sign.

Acting Weird

If your turtle is hiding more, being super still, or just seems “off,” trust your gut. They’re not just chilling—they might be sick.

This Hilarious Turtle Book Might Know Your Pet Better Than You Do

Let’s be real—most turtle care guides feel like reading a textbook written by a sleep-deprived zookeeper.

This one’s not that.

Told from the snarky point of view of a grumpy, judgmental turtle, 21 Turtle Truths You’ll Never Read in a Care Guide is packed with sarcasm, sass, and surprisingly useful insights.

And hey—you don’t have to commit to the whole thing just yet.

Grab 2 free truths from the ebook and get a taste of what your turtle really thinks about your setup, your food choices, and that weird plastic palm tree.

It’s funny, it’s honest, and if you’ve ever owned a turtle who glares at you like you’re the problem—you’ll feel seen.

Want to understand Care + Turtle Health better? Here’s a breakdown that makes sense. 12 Unexpected Ways to Save Money on Exotic Turtle Care

Home Remedies That May Help

Change the Water—Seriously

You can’t heal anything in filthy water. Start with a full tank clean and stick to daily water changes for now. No shortcuts.

Try Turtle-Safe Eye Drops

Get reptile eye rinse from a pet store or online. Don’t use human drops. A few drops a day can soothe and clean out mild infections.

Add Vitamin A to the Diet

Shred some carrots, sweet potatoes, or dark leafy greens into their food. You can also get a reptile vitamin A supplement—but don’t overdo it.

Chamomile Tea Soak

If the eyes aren’t open wounds, brew a weak chamomile tea, cool it down, and soak the turtle for 10–15 minutes. It’s calming and can reduce irritation.

How to Prevent It in the First Place

Keep That Water Clean

Turtles live in their toilet. So unless you’re scrubbing and filtering like a pro, infections are gonna happen. Don’t cheap out on a good filter.

Feed Real Food

Pellets are fine—but they’re not enough. Mix in leafy greens, carrots, squash. Anything with vitamin A. Your turtle’s eyes will thank you.

Use UVB and Heat Lamps

Without UVB, their body can’t use vitamins right. And without a warm basking spot, they won’t dry off. Both matter. A lot.

Don’t Overcrowd

One turtle per tank is already messy. Add more, and you’re asking for fights, bites, and disease. Give them space or deal with the drama.

Skip the Sharp Decor

No jagged rocks or fake plants with stiff edges. If it looks like it might poke an eye, it probably will.

When to See a Vet

Still Closed After a Few Days

If the eyes haven’t opened after trying home care for 3–4 days, stop guessing. It’s vet time.

White Gunk or Discharge

Anything oozing out? That’s not just “a little irritated.” It could be a deep infection. Needs proper meds.

Refuses to Eat

If they’ve gone days without touching food, something’s really off. Eye problems can mess with appetite—but other issues might be hiding too.

Acting Totally Off

Lethargic. Hiding non-stop. Not basking. These are all warning signs. Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Bottom line: you can’t fix everything at home. And waiting too long just makes things harder for your turtle—and your wallet.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.