Florida keratopathy

Florida keratopathy, also known as Florida spots, is an eye condition characterized by the presence of multiple spots within both corneas.[1] It is most commonly seen in dogs and cats, but is also rarely seen in horses and birds.[2] The disease is found in the southeastern parts of the United States.[2] In other parts of the world it is confined to tropics and subtropics, and it is known as tropical keratopathy.[1]

Florida keratopathy appears as multiple cloudy opacities in the stromal layer of the cornea.[1] The spots appear concentrated at the center and become more diffuse at the periphery. They can range in size from one to eight millimeters.[3] There are no other symptoms, and there is no response to treatment with either anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial drugs. Histological analysis of affected corneas has found acid-fast staining organisms, suggesting Florida keratopathy may be caused by a type of mycobacterium.[3] The disease may be induced by repeated stings to the eyes by the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata.[4]

References
  1. Roze, Maurice (2005). "Corneal Diseases in Cats". Proceedings of the 30th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  2. Gelatt, Kirk N.; Gilger, Brian C.; Kern, Thomas J. (2013). "Section IV: Special ophthalmology". Veterinary ophthalmology (5 ed.). Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 1499–1500. ISBN 9780470960400.
  3. Gelatt, Kirk N. (ed.) (1999). Veterinary Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-30076-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. Theron, Leonard (2005). Wasmannia auropunctata linked keratopathy Hypothesis - The Polynesian Case. Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine Master (Thesis). hdl:2268/652.
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