Sugar gliders are a unique species among the family of marsupials. This is partly due to black, largely, rounded eyes that stick in their head like the depths of a well under the moonlight. These creatures are small, but their nocturnal eyes are vast and powerful, giving them a larger field of vision, and advantage over their predators in the wild. While predators sleep in the night, the sugar glider is awake, gliding through the air at cavalier distances to catch its prey, rather it be an unsuspecting moth, or worms and bugs that otherwise stay hidden during the day. As you can see, the sugar glider's eyes are a valuable asset, especially in the wild, where survival depends upon the use of their nocturnal vision. Eye problems of any sort can be detrimental to a sugar glider's existence.
Here in captivity, where there is a higher chance of sugar gliders developing eye disease, due to improper diets mostly, owners would hopefully be able to find appropriate veterinarian care, and relieve these marsupial pets of any maladies. But given the fact that sugar gliders are exotic animals, and that their presence, as domestic pets here in the USA, is still fairly new, few veterinarians have a complete understanding of their needs and how to take care of them. In effect there have been cases where veterinarians have been at a complete loss on how to treat ailments in sugar gliders.
When we hear of eye disease in sugar gliders, most commonly it is in relation to cataracts that occur in the infant gliders, though it is from the mother that a glider will get this disease. Symptoms will appear as white, fatty, deposits in the eye, and can lead to blindness. The condition can be caused by a diet too high in fat, usually in the mom that passes it down to her offspring. But it has also been theorized that the condition of cataracts in sugar gliders may stem from a deficiency in vitamin A. And additionally, if a female glider is being bred too often, it is likely she will succumb to cataract disease.
White mucus disease is another condition that will sometimes occur in sugar gliders. This will present itself as a white mucus discharge coating itself around the eye, or in feces. Like cataracts, and most any disease a sugar glider will incur, white mucus disease can be caused by improper diet. But it can also be due to an aging glider whose system is failing to properly break down nutrients, prohibiting the absorption of much needed minerals. An owner will want to seek immediate treatment, as this should not be left unattended.
Sugar gliders can be a bit easily prone to injuries with the protruding of their eyes. Being that their eyes are so physically set outward upon their faces, scratches may assault them one way or another. A scratch in itself can be really bad as there is a good chance of the cornea being affected. But with any sort of open graze, the eye can be left at risk to harmful bacteria. The disturbance of bacteria to the eye can easily lead to severe infection, resulting in loss of vision, or even the eye itself.
Sugar glider's eyes are generally bright when healthy, and their vision is strong, which is why they are able to glide such long distances. They're intelligent, and have evolved to domestication away from the wild. But their health, here in captivity can be very fragile. The best way to maintain their health, and the health of their eyes is through a proper diet. As for injury, due to their indigenous playfulness, well, that's just one thing owners need to keep a careful eye on, while taking every precaution to keep these delightful creatures safe.