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Bee and wasp sting injuries: manifestations and effects
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SAN FRANCISCO — Hymenoptera sting injury is common in rural India, and clinicians should be educated regarding the many manifestations of this phenomenon, according to a poster presentation here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Nibaran Gangopadhyay, MD, recommended physicians become familiar with the varied manifestations after ocular injury caused by bee or wasp stings.
In his case series, two patients from a rural area of India consecutively presented with bee and wasp stings in the cornea. One patient, a 25-year old male, developed immediate corneal epithelial defect and sterile infiltrate followed by severe inflammation, which led to endothelial dysfunction and cataract from venom toxicity. The corneal scar and cataract led to severe visual deficit in this patient, Dr. Gangopadhyay said.
The other patient, a 13-year old boy, suffered a wasp sting on the peripheral cornea and subsequently developed symblepharon formation, limbal ischemia, secondary yeast infection, corneal endothelial dysfunction and significant visual loss. Medical treatment seemed unlikely to prevent long-term complications and visual disability.
“Knowledge on various manifestations enriches understanding, leading to prompt and proper treatment, to limit the serious consequences,” Dr. Gangopadhyay said.