Conjunctivitis and Keratitis
Learn what the condition is, how it may be detected early, how it is treated or managed, and which breeds or species are linked to it.
Condition snapshot
A concise guide to the condition’s pattern, detection, management and urgency.
This snapshot is a general guide, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. New, severe or worsening signs require veterinary assessment.
About the condition
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of tissue lining eyelids and surrounding the globe; keratitis affects the transparent cornea. Trauma, foreign material, dry or dusty air, vitamin A deficiency, bacteria, fungi, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and pox can be involved. Sinus disease commonly causes periocular swelling because avian infraorbital sinuses surround the eye.
Signs include redness, swelling, discharge, squinting, rubbing, closed eyelids, light avoidance and corneal cloudiness. Corneal ulceration is painful and can deepen rapidly after infection or continued trauma, threatening perforation and sight. Birds may stop eating because binocular navigation and flock security are impaired.
Eye drops are not interchangeable. Corticosteroids suppress healing and can worsen an infected corneal ulcer. Human redness drops and leftover antibiotics may be toxic or mask the cause. Unilateral disease favours trauma or a local foreign body, whereas bilateral signs may accompany systemic or respiratory infection, but exceptions are common.
Prognosis is good for superficial disease treated promptly and guarded with deep ulcer, intraocular spread or chronic sinus disease. Chlamydial or Mycoplasma infection may require collection-level management, while an isolated scratch does not. Prevention uses safe cage hardware, clean air, complete nutrition and early examination of squinting rather than waiting for visible opacity. Conjunctivitis affects tissues around the eye, whereas keratitis involves the transparent cornea and threatens vision more directly. Irritants, trauma, foreign bodies, sinus disease, bacteria, fungi, chlamydiosis and vitamin A deficiency are possible causes. Squinting, tearing, redness or cloudiness requires prompt assessment because a corneal ulcer can deepen rapidly. A bird may hold the eyelids closed or avoid light, masking the degree of corneal injury. Deep ulceration can rupture the globe, whereas uncomplicated conjunctival irritation usually carries a much better visual prognosis. Prompt recognition protects the eye.
Screening & Early Detection
Examine both eyes, eyelids, third eyelid, nares, choana and sinuses. Magnification localises lesions and fluorescein dye identifies corneal epithelial defects. Tear quality, pupil response and intraocular structures are assessed with avian-appropriate techniques.
Cytology, bacterial and fungal culture or PCR is collected before medication when infection is suspected. Imaging evaluates sinus, orbit or foreign body extension. Diet and flock respiratory history direct vitamin A and Chlamydia or Mycoplasma testing.
Restraint is gentle to avoid pressure on an injured globe. Owners monitor ability to open the eye, discharge, corneal clarity and food access. An ulcer, sudden cloudiness, blood, marked pain or loss of vision requires same-day treatment. Repeat fluorescein testing confirms epithelial healing before any steroid is considered. Fluorescein stain identifies corneal defects, and magnified examination looks beneath the eyelids for plant material or other foreign bodies. Cytology and culture are useful for ulcerated or exudative lesions. The nares, choana and infraorbital sinus are examined because apparent eye disease may originate in the upper respiratory tract.
Treatment & Management
Flush irritants or superficial foreign material with sterile solution and provide analgesia. Use topical and sometimes systemic antimicrobial therapy selected for cytology, culture and lesion depth. Corneal ulcers receive intensive protection and rechecks; deep, melting or perforated lesions may need surgical grafting or other specialist repair.
Treat sinusitis, hypovitaminosis A, chlamydiosis or respiratory disease when it drives the eye lesion. Prevent rubbing with environmental modification or temporary protection that does not impair eating. Keep medication tips clean and avoid touching the cornea.
Topical corticosteroids are contraindicated until ulceration and uncontrolled infection are excluded. Human eye products and old combination drops are not used. Recheck pain, fluorescein uptake and corneal depth rather than stopping when discharge improves. Prognosis is favourable for early superficial disease; delayed deep infection can leave scar, blindness or require eye removal for comfort. Topical medication depends on whether the cornea is intact and which organism is suspected. Corticosteroid eye drops are avoided with an ulcer or uncontrolled infection because they can delay healing. Foreign material is removed, pain controlled, and systemic therapy added for sinus, chlamydial or deep ocular disease; rubbing may require temporary protection.
Breeds or species affected
Adelaide Rosella
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Bar-shouldered Dove
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Blue-faced Parrot Finch
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Bourke's Parrot
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Brown Quail
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Budgerigar
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Cockatiel
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Common Bronzewing
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Crested Pigeon
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Diamond Dove
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Eastern Rosella
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Elegant Parrot
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Emerald Dove
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Galah
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Gouldian Finch
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Hooded Parrot
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King Quail
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Little Button-quail
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Little Corella
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Long-billed Corella
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Musk Lorikeet
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Painted Button-quail
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Painted Finch
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Pale-headed Rosella
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Peaceful Dove
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Port Lincoln Parrot
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Princess Parrot
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Rainbow Lorikeet
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Red-capped Parrot
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Red-collared Lorikeet
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Red-rumped Parrot
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Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
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Scarlet-chested Parrot
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Star Finch
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Stubble Quail
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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
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Twenty-eight Parrot
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Western Corella
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Western Rosella
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Yellow Rosella
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Zebra Finch
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Canary
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Society Finch
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Domestic Pigeon
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Indian Ringneck Parakeet
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Alexandrine Parakeet
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Peach-faced Lovebird
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Fischer's Lovebird
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Sun Conure
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Jenday Conure
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