Hen with shriveled pupil, question

[Noai]

Hi,
I just noticed one of my hens' eyes has a shriveled pupil. After I got back from vacation I thought she looked different, but it was only yesterday that I noticed she was blind in one eye and her pupil is shriveled. Otherwise she is fat happy, and looks healthy. Is this contagious to other chickens or even humans? What should I do about it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Noai Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of the eye?

It's hard to know without seeing it - even then, we may not know for sure.

Blind and the pupil shriveled - that description sounds to me either Marek's or a good poke to the eye.

Look forward to photos, we may be able to give you better ideas.

 

[Noai]

Here's a picture, though the pupil is dilated in it so it doesn't look like an amoeba like it does in bright light. Thinking it's Marek's.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1244787 Here's a picture, though the pupil is dilated in it so it doesn't look like an amoeba like it does in bright light. Thinking it's Marek's.

I tend to agree with you that it's Ocular Form of Marek's.
Here's a very good article on Marek's, @Nambroth is a BYC member and does have Marek's in their flock. They have done quite a bit of information gathering - this is my "go to" for a lot of Marek's info :http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

Having Marek's is not always a death sentence, a lot of it depends on your goals for chickens. Some people do cull any that show signs/symptoms and try to breed forward for more resistance. It is a puzzling, heartbreaking and difficult disease to live with.

If it's just in the one eye at this time, then keep watch on her to see that she is not having any difficulty eating/drinking. She may eventually go blind in that eye - chickens can adapt, but she may need a little help. It's possible that she may also progress with other symptoms as time goes by.

I'm sorry, I wish I had better answers for you.

These are from Cornell University reference link: http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502#/disease/Marek's_Disease

Marek's eye on left, normal eye on right.

Another view of Marek's eye.

 

[Noai]

Thanks so much!