Mysterious rapid-onset blindness - any chance of recovering vision?

[Buckuckingham Palace]

Our normally-spritely little bantam RIR “Manzanita” seems to have inexplicably gone blind. We’ve scoured BYC postings on “rapid-onset blindness” and it seems like most of the well-known causes manifest with some form of visible symptoms (e.g. cloudiness, odd-shaped pupils, color changes, crustiness or seepage) but Manzy’s appear clear, show no outward signs of injury or disease, and her pupils appear normal and responsive to light. So aside from the possibility our poor girl simply drew the short straw on RIR vision genes, we’re left thinking she was exposed to an unknown toxin or is suffering from a vitamin/nutrient deficiency (perhaps brought about by Coccidiosis or worms). Faith-healing aside, has anyone out there had a hen recover vision after apparently losing it? We will gladly maintain her continuous care for some time if there is a possibility of a turnaround. If not, the idea of this amazing little bundle of intelligence and personality reduced to a life of waiting around to be fed and cleaned is even more heartbreaking then the prospect of mustering the courage to lovingly usher her to the other side

 

[Aunt Angus]

Our normally-spritely little bantam RIR “Manzanita” seems to have inexplicably gone blind. We’ve scoured BYC postings on “rapid-onset blindness” and it seems like most of the well-known causes manifest with some form of visible symptoms (e.g. cloudiness, odd-shaped pupils, color changes, crustiness or seepage) but Manzy’s appear clear, show no outward signs of injury or disease, and her pupils appear normal and responsive to light. So aside from the possibility our poor girl simply drew the short straw on RIR vision genes, we’re left thinking she was exposed to an unknown toxin or is suffering from a vitamin/nutrient deficiency (perhaps brought about by Coccidiosis or worms). Faith-healing aside, has anyone out there had a hen recover vision after apparently losing it? We will gladly maintain her continuous care for some time if there is a possibility of a turnaround. If not, the idea of this amazing little bundle of intelligence and personality reduced to a life of waiting around to be fed and cleaned is even more heartbreaking then the prospect of mustering the courage to lovingly usher her to the other side

I have no idea about what caused her to go blind or if she'll ever regain her sight, but I do know blind chickens can manage just fine with a little accommodation.

 

[BiddyBiddy]

Our normally-spritely little bantam RIR “Manzanita” seems to have inexplicably gone blind. We’ve scoured BYC postings on “rapid-onset blindness” and it seems like most of the well-known causes manifest with some form of visible symptoms (e.g. cloudiness, odd-shaped pupils, color changes, crustiness or seepage) but Manzy’s appear clear, show no outward signs of injury or disease, and her pupils appear normal and responsive to light. So aside from the possibility our poor girl simply drew the short straw on RIR vision genes, we’re left thinking she was exposed to an unknown toxin or is suffering from a vitamin/nutrient deficiency (perhaps brought about by Coccidiosis or worms). Faith-healing aside, has anyone out there had a hen recover vision after apparently losing it? We will gladly maintain her continuous care for some time if there is a possibility of a turnaround. If not, the idea of this amazing little bundle of intelligence and personality reduced to a life of waiting around to be fed and cleaned is even more heartbreaking then the prospect of mustering the courage to lovingly usher her to the other side

Hi there! Did you ever find out what was the cause of your chicken’s blindness? I have a 5 year old barred cochin who is showing signs of at least partial blindness all of the sudden in the last week. There are no signs of infection, eyes are clear, no discharge or weeping, no cloudiness, no swelling, nothing!!! She’s having trouble getting out of the coop and I’m having to go out every morning to help her get off the perch. Once out, she seems to find the food and water okay.
What happened with yours? Did she ever regain her sight? What special accommodations did you have to provide because of her disability?