Prognosis of corneal wasp sting: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objectives: To report the ocular complications associated with corneal wasp sting and to highlight the importance of eye protection in case of wasp offense.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational chart review.

Results: A 34-year-old man was referred for severely decreased vision after being stung by a swap to the left cornea. Ophthalmologic examination showed a large corneal epithelial defect, anterior uveitis, and a left relative afferent pupillary defect. Vision was light perception. After treatment with cycloplegic, topical antibiotic, and systemic steroids for 2 weeks, the epithelial defect healed and anterior uveitis subsided; however, bulbous keratopathy and traumatic cataract developed. The visual acuity remained light perception with poor light projections. Twenty additional cases of corneal hymenoptera sting were reviewed from the English language literature, which shared certain characteristics including anterior uveitis, intractable glaucoma, traumatic cataract, toxic optic neuropathy, corneal scarring, and a catastrophic prognosis.

Conclusions: Wasp stings of the cornea may bring disastrous ocular damages. Outdoor works should manage to protect your eyes when confronted with a hymenoptera attack.

Keywords::

• Ocular injury
• corneal sting
• hymenoptera
• complications

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81060080). We would like to thank Dr. Xiaoyan Ding and Dr. Xiaobo Zhu for their help in editing language.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.