Management and Anterior Segment Imaging of Corneal Bee Sting
Purpose
To discuss the management, clinical course, and utility of anterior segment high resolution imaging in a corneal bee sting with retained stinger.
Methods
Clinical features, slit lamp photographs, high resolution anterior segment imaging, treatment, and outcomes of 1 case of ocular bee sting is presented.
Results
The patient presented with acute bee sting to the cornea, with pronounced corneal edema and anterior chamber inflammation. The stinger was partially removed from the cornea at the slit lamp on presentation. Aggressive topical steroid and antibiotic treatments were utilized. Upon return, inflammation subsided and corneal edema improved, although a deep fragment remained within the cornea. This was evaluated with high resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), which assessed the depth of the fragment. The patient was observed without further intervention, and over three months, demonstrated a return to visual baseline and complete resolution of inflammation.
Conclusion
Corneal bee sting is a rare entity, with infrequent reports of retained stinger fragment. AS-OCT can be utilized to evaluate the depth of the retained fragment. Management with short-term topical steroids and antibiotics can allow for sustained resolution of inflammation, even with a retained stinger fragment.