Prognosis of Ocular Injury Caused by Wasp Sting: Case Reports

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In the present study, the prognosis of ocular injury caused by a wasp sting was evaluated in two cases: Case 1 was treated by anterior chamber irrigation and Case 2 was simultaneously treated by anterior chamber irrigation and vitrectomy. CASE SUMMARY: Both patients had unilateral damage and complained of severe eye pain and blurred vision. Severe corneal edema, conjunctival injection, marked anterior chamber inflammatory reaction and the wasp sting through the cornea at the anterior chamber were observed in both cases. In Case 1, anterior chamber irrigation was performed, however, corneal edema was not recovered. Six months after the wasp sting, phthisis was observed. In Case 2, anterior chamber irrigation and vitrectomy were simultaneously performed, corneal edema decreased and epithelial healing occurred. Four months after the wasp sting, the eyeball was stable, but there was no wave on the electroretinogram. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the ocular damage resulting from a bee sting, the ocular damage from a wasp sting causes severe toxic reactions and results in poor prognosis. Aggressive treatment including vitrectomy is necessary shortly after wasp sting injury to save both the vision and eyeball.