Ever seen anything like this?

[Frank Hargis-IL]

Found two fledgings with both eyes like this. Both were on the ground blind. Anyone have any idea what this is?

http://myplace.frontier.com/~flhargis1/ ... P_0039.jpg
http://myplace.frontier.com/~flhargis1/ ... P_0041.jpg

[art]

There is a viral infection that affects the eyes of House Finches in much the same way. Here in Kansas such infections are periodic in House Finches and is spread when birds are in close proximity. Usually seen on birds at the winter feeders. Don't know if the same on your martins but sure looks familiar.

[art]

According to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology website there are three possibilities of eye infection documented in wild bird populations.

Avian Pox - caused by virus in the eye
Salmonellosis - caused by bacterium
Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis - caused by bacterium

Hopefully the infection was restricted to just that one brood in your colony.

[Louise Chambers]

That looks pretty dreadful - only recourse would be to get them to a rehabiliatator to see if eyes could be cleared up.