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]