Insect blamed for mystery rise in life-changing illness that alters eye colour

08 February 2023 , 06:58

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A surge in new cases of 'Christmas Eye' has been reported in Australia (Image: 7News)

Doctors have blamed a tiny beetle for a mystery surge in a debilitating eye condition that can change the colour of pupils.

An increase in cases of seasonal corneal ulcer - also known as "Christmas eye" or "harvester’s eye" - has been reported by medics in the state of Victoria in Australia.

It is caused by orthoperus beetle, which is known to release a blistering agent into people's eyes.

The condition results in a ulceration of the eye’s cornea which can cause drastic alterations in its appearance and colour.

Changes to vision have also been reported among sufferers, who often only realise they have been affected when they feel pain.

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The condition is caused by orthoperus beetle, which releases a blistering agent into people's eyes (Wikipedia)

While often distressed, most people recover and are left with no lasting signs of the condition.

Annabelle Donnelly, 13, contracted Christmas Eye while on a family camping holiday near Wangaratta, a city around 155 miles from Melbourne.

The teen feared she would lose her eye completely during the height of the pain still reports having eye problems to this day

Recalling her fear after Annabelle developed symptoms, mum Sarah Jane Donnelly told 7 News: “90 per cent of the membrane was burnt off.

"I kept thinking this is fixable, surely there is a way you can take the pain away.”

Annabelle Donnelly, 13, contracted Christmas Eye while on a family camping holiday near Wangaratta (7News)

In addition to north-eastern and western parts of Victoria, cases have also been reported in Gippsland and central New South Wales. The condition is not found outside Australia.

Commenting on the uptick of cases in Victoria, optometrist Dr Rob Holloway said: "There seems to have been a huge spike... everybody that presents (symptoms) has had a history of being outside, they’ve been gardening, they’ve been slashing grass (or going to) footy training,”

People in affected areas have been advised to wear sunglasses until the end of March to avoid contracting the condition.

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas