Can an Eel get Cataracs?

[friendtothefish]

Hello guys,

One of my snowflakes has developed a white patch on its eyes. And it is obviously blinder than before...

Has anyone seen this before?

Friend

 

[mlukason]

Friend,

Fish can indeed develop cataracts (clouding of the lens). A cataract will appear (without visual aid) as a light colored patch in the lens or an entire clouded lens. Does the eye of your eel have a patch "on" the eye or "in" the eye? On the eye could mean an infection or an abrasion. In the eye could be cataracts if it is only in the area of the lens.

Good Luck!

 

[friendtothefish]

It is only on the lense, but it is ON the lense Not IN it... But its on both and they look the same, so I doubt its abrasions... And I hope its not infections...

How do I know?

 

[mlukason]

Friend,

The lens in inside the eye. The clear outer portion of the eye is the cornea. If the material is on the cornea this may be an infection. Here is an address for a schematic of the eye (it a human eye but most of the structures we are concerned about are similar). Can you get a close look with a magnifying glass? If the material on the outside surface of the cornea that indicates infection. Couding of the cornea can be caused by many factors. Did you notice if the the condition rapidy developed (a day or two) or has it been getting worse slowly?

http://www.99main.com/~charlief/theeyebg.gif

Mike

 

[friendtothefish]

I think it has been developing over a few months. Very slowly... He looks very healthy otherwise...