Foreign substances entering the eye can put eye health at risk. Orthoperus beetle, which causes the color of the pupil to change, creates very risky situations. When this bug gets into your eye, the tiny bug releases a blistering agent. This very painful condition can break the skin of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil, allowing light to enter.
The term ‘Christmas eye’ is thought to have been coined by paramedics in Australia in the 1970s. It is native to the country and the creatures are classified as blister beetles, meaning they are associated with blisters. Experts have warned of a ‘huge increase’ in cases of these insects, with the majority of cases reported in northeastern Victoria and southern New South Wales.
“I THOUGHT I LOSE MY EYES”
A 13-year-old boy said he still has eye problems after getting a bug in his eye while on a camping trip. Annabelle Donnelly said she thought she’d realize she had an insect in her eye after the doctor said her symptoms were due to the insect. “I thought I was going to lose my eye,” said the little girl. At the time, her mother, Sarah Jane Donnelly, said she wished there was a way to ease her daughter’s pain. “90 percent of the membrane was burned… I kept thinking it was fixable, there’s definitely a way to relieve the pain,” she said.
THOSE INTERESTED IN THE GARDEN CARRY RISK
Optometrist Dr Rob Holloway of Holloway Vision in Wangaratta said anyone showing symptoms has a history of being outdoors, gardening, mowing the lawn or going to soccer practice. “There seems to have been a huge increase,” he added. Many times people who come into contact with the bug will be unaware of the Christmas eye until they start to feel pain. This irritation occurs when insects are disturbed or crushed.
CHRISTMAS EYE SYMPTOMS
Post-Christmas eye typically presents monocularly with significant pain and a large ulcer covering most of the cornea. Other symptoms include eyelid swelling, redness, tearing, sensitivity to light, headache, and blurred vision. Other eye infections that occur similarly include herpes keratitis ((herpes virus), corneal abrasions, and infective eye ulcers.
CHRISTMAS EYE TREATMENT
Once the correct diagnosis is made, the treatment management of Christmas eye is simple. Rapid healing is achieved by reducing pain in the cornea of the eye. Most of the time, anesthetic eye drops can be applied to reduce pain, but their use is not long-term. Antibiotic eye drops and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (Nurofen/Voltaren) are often prescribed and recommended.
A bandage contact lens may also be placed to aid the healing process and reduce pain. Lubricating eye drops are also an adjunct treatment for treatment. Sunglasses or safety glasses can reduce the risk of exposure to disease from the Orthopeurus beetle.