For years, the cause of the condition was a mystery due to lack of physical evidence. Through ongoing research, it was revealed that the condition was caused by small native beetles of the genus Orthoperus. Circumstantial evidence suggests that beetles in the genus Paederus (Staphylinidae) and other beetles in the genus Orthoperus (Corylophidae) carry the compound pederin in their hemolymph, which is a mixture of blood and interstitial fluid. When this chemical is released, from the crushing of the insect in the eye, it causes painful, but temporary eye lesions. They can also cause severe dermatitis and the so-called 'whiplash' stripe across the skin. Since Pederin is a strong inhibitor of protein biosynthesis and it is a blistering agent, it is not surprising that it causes a major effect on the corneal epithelium.
Christmas eye
Surfer's ear
Corneal ulcer
Black eye
Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy
Eye drop
Meesmann corneal dystrophy
Ocular larva migrans