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Review
. 2019 Aug 31:20:1284-1289.
doi: 10.12659/AJCR.917592.

A Case of Conjunctival Bee Sting Injury with Review of the Literature on Ocular Bee Stings

Axelle Semler-Collery  1 , George Hayek  1 , Sophie Ramadier  2 , Jean-Marc Perone  1
Affiliations
Review

A Case of Conjunctival Bee Sting Injury with Review of the Literature on Ocular Bee Stings

Axelle Semler-Collery et al. Am J Case Rep. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND Ocular bee stings have been rarely described in the literature, and their management is controversial. A case of conjunctival bee sting with retention of the stinger for 48 hours is presented with a review of the literature on the complications and management of ocular bee sting injury. CASE REPORT A 22-year-old beekeeper presented to the Emergency Department with mild symptoms from a conjunctival bee sting that he had received 48 hours previously. The stinger was removed in the Emergency Department, and topical antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment with corticosteroid were given. There were no complications in this case. However, review of the literature has shown that although the outcome from ocular bee stings can be mild, as in this case, ocular bee stings can result in severe visual symptoms that require amniotic membrane transplant (AMT). Management commonly includes removal of the stinger and both topical and systemic treatment with corticosteroids. The main complications include cataracts, inflammation of the anterior chamber, optic neuropathies, and changes in ocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS Ocular bee stings have been rarely described in the literature, and the management remains controversial. As this case has shown, removal of the stinger and the use of topical treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids can prevent potentially serious complications that may affect vision. Early and regular follow-up with ocular imaging may be required when symptoms persist.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared

Conflict of interest

None.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A 22-year-old beekeeper with a conjunctival bee sting injury of the right eye at Day 0 on hospital admission showing the stinger under the conjunctiva.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A 22-year-old beekeeper with a conjunctival bee sting injury of the right eye at Day 7 following removal of the stinger shows good healing of the conjunctiva.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Simplified anatomy of the bee, showing the dorsal view. Artwork by first author, Axelle Semler-Collery.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Simplified anatomy of the bee, showing the side view. Artwork by first author, Axelle Semler-Collery.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Simplified anatomy of the bee, showing the abdominal anatomy. Artwork by first author, Axelle Semler-Collery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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