Concerned about Perjo's eyesight

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,025
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
There are too many times I get the notion that Perjo doesn't see well, a time or two I felt whe was almost totally blind.

Anyone else ever get the notion their FID has poor eyesight from their body language? Just now EST 7:40pm Perjo is on her cage door just sitting pretty and as I walk up to her making noise she seems to only know I'm there b/c of my sounds. Her head is facing me and her eyes seem focused in the distance behind me, which is just a dining room lit up. I even moved my hands fairly quickly toward her from above and the side and she didn't flinch. She usually flinches or recognizes the motion.

The room she's in isn't super bright with my floor lamps on at this time of night, but it's certainly not dark by any stretch.

Is it the combination of lighting, in a room with no outside light, the time of day as she's been up for 12 hours now, and the trust she has in me even when moving my hands toward her?

Any idea of the tests that vets would give to check vision, just like chekcing ours?
 
I imagine they will see if her pupils dilate correctly. Salty sometimes stares off into space, and it takes a lot to break him out of his reverie. A lot.
 
Remember parrots are not predators so they do not see directly in front like we do (yes we are predators), their eye sight is peripheral. When I approach all of my fids I make sounds but with Buzz, I make sounds, halt, make sure he sees then approach him.

Is her issue peripheral?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Remember parrots are not predators so they do not see directly in front like we do (yes we are predators), their eye sight is peripheral. When I approach all of my fids I make sounds but with Buzz, I make sounds, halt, make sure he sees then approach him.

Is her issue peripheral?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

She seems to have this with peripheral and straight ahead, and it makes sense b/c they can see striaght ahead much like we do (IIRC, but I'll probably butcher the explanation) but they have to pick and choose in what they will focus on b/c they have two focal points in their eyes, we have one that works automatically. I think they have both a straight forward focal point and a periphal one, and that might be why it seems they are no truly focused on what we think they are focused on or should be focused on.

Her lack of reaction to my motion is what concerns me, but maybe her trust is so strong and that's the explanation.
 
Yes, I think you need to approach her from the side and see if she has the same reaction, because if you're straight in front of her it's likely that she can't see your hand moving. I wouldn't be concerned unless you're at the side of her head moving and she sees nothing.

If you have a pen light or a small flashlight you can see if she follows the light. The vet should first take the light to each eye to see if the pupil dilates, then he'll move the light away from each eye to see if she follows it. Same as a human doctor checks eyes.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
Parrots can develop cataracts at advanced age. My 28yr old female Ekkie has a hint of cloudiness per the vet, but it has not advanced sufficiently to cause any issues thus far.
 
Amazons have a habit of drifting off into the AmaZone. With all outwardly appearances they can appear totally aware of what is going on around them (they look like they are), but are in fact into what Humans refer to as Day Dreaming. Hence, why it is so very important to assure you have their full attention when you are approaching them.

The important difference is whether this is commonly or not. I.E. every time you approach your Parrot they do not see you from a specific direction.

With cataracts the cross-over area directly in front becomes smaller. And from the back, that likewise becomes smaller. There specific illness that effect the muscles that slow or limit the movement of the eye. If you approach from one side or the other and there is no reaction until you become very close and this is occurs all the time, that clearly defines an sight problem.

Most larger Cities will have a Animal Sight Specialist. Step one is to verify that your Parrot has a constant problem. Step two is to visit your AV and Step three is to see the specialist.
 
Wow.
Lots of good input.
Good luck, Perjo, little buddy.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Back
Top