Box turtles are very prone to eye infections/problems. They may present
as one or both eyes "glued" shut. In other cases the eyes may be
swollen. Mucous and or pus may be present. In long standing
infections a hard "plug" of mucous and pus may give the appearance that
the eye is missing.
In the wild eye problems are fairly common after a
turtle comes out of hibernation. I recall finding one a few years back
in February walking down the road. Its left eye appeared to be missing.
As I was handling it a large plug popped out and the eye was visible
behind a layer of puss similar to the picture below.
The turtle below came out of hibernation with the eyes
glued shut, an ear abscess and a respiratory infection.
After a few weeks of high humidity, frequent soaks and
warm temps it completely resolved
