Popeye - by Doc Johnson
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It was 5 inches and had a small mark on its side which I considered a possible problem. I paid for the fish and asked Dave Rice the dealer @ Worthing Koi to keep it in his pond for a couple of weeks. At this time there were no signs of any eye problems. I had a call 2 weeks later to tell me the side mark was gone, but one eye had come up. The fish was overwintered @20c and has been in the dealer's main pond ever since. It is now 10inches. The eye appears to have full sight and is fully motile, the fish feeds well.
Graphic courtesy Dave R. at Worthing Koi, Thanks!
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Popeye, or exophthalmia is the condition of an eye wherein it protrudes from its normal position in a socket.
For years in the literature, the causes of exophthalmia were few, and almost all literature surveyed suggested it was a mycobacterial infection, or Tuberculosis forming an abscess or granuloma behind the eye.
In this case, that may very well be true, and you should be aware that there are few drugs effective against piscine tuberculosis, there are even fewer that can access the space behind the eye. In humans,m these infections are still hard to treat becasue the space behind the eye is isolated from real good vascular supply. As well, tuberculosis, particularly the one for fish, is transmissable to humans through open sores. I'm not saying it's always TB, but it could be, so avoid contact.
Other causes of pop eye include viral and other causes of inflammation to the Choroid or vessels leading to the eyeball itself, and trauma ranks high in this group. If the eye does not get picked OFF when it protrudes like this, it is entirely possible that it could actually pull back in as the swelling behind the eye reduces.
In some cases, the eye may heal and remain sighted, but the swelling may remain indefinitely. Certain conditions may cause bleeding inside the eye, occlusion of the drainage mechanisms of the eye and result in a permanent buphthalmos (large eye). Often, these eyes may move in the socket but are sightless because glaucomatous pressure on the retina quickly kills the rods and cones responsible for sight.
Let me say a word or two more about bacterial or TB (tuberculoid) pop eye. It spreads slowly, and gets its foothold through stress. Be sure water quality is optimal, and that the diet and temperature are perfect for the chosen species you maintain. You can try antibiotics with this, even injected ones if the fish warrants it, but I really suggest you not get your hopes up.
+ "Popeye in one eye carries a much better prognosis than in both eyes. In one eye it remains more probable that the cause was traumatic and those are reversible." ~ Doc Johnson
POPEYE
Symptom: One or both eyes protrude from the socket. Some fish also exhibit a lack of appetite.
Popeye can be caused from bacterial diseases, abscesses and tumors, eye injuries, as well as over - aerated water.If left untreated, the eye may bulge out so far that the eye can pop out of the socket, resulting in the loss of an eye.
Treatment: First eleminate the possibility of over-aeration. If you have been using high powered power heads that shoot streams of water into the tank water, your fish may be the victim of nitrogen supersaturation. The tiny air bubbles enter the fish's bloodstream and can accumulate behind the eye, causing it to protrude.
Treatment: The treatment for nitorgen supersaturation , turn the power head water stream adjustment to its lowest setting. Temporarily shut off the air to the power heads, and allow the air pump to be the only source of air. Observe the popeye for a few days . If this was the problem, the eye should begin to recede. If no improvement is noticed or if it worsens, assume the problem is bacterial in nature and treat with Nitrofuran (Furan) or Kanamycin Sulfate. Treat in a hospital tank.
