Eye Stings from Bees & Wasps:What You Need to Know

Ocular bee and wasp stings can lead to serious complications such as toxic keratopathy, which often presents immediately after an incident. If a patient or their child has been stung on or near the eye, they may experience an intense, painful sensation along with blurry or diminished vision. Light sensitivity is commonly reported, causing great distress. In many cases, the severity of the pain drives patients to seek immediate care from an eye doctor rather than waiting, emphasizing the critical need for rapid intervention.

During a physical examination, an eye doctor may use a slit lamp to identify visible stingers or verify the presence of residual tissue. Initial findings may include a sterile corneal ulcer that surrounds the impacted area, pronounced corneal edema, and potential light flare indicative of deeper eye involvement.

The signs and symptoms of toxic keratopathy following an ocular sting can vary in intensity but generally include:

• Severe pain in the affected eye
• Blurred vision or significant loss of visual acuity
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Corneal edema, leading to a hazy appearance of the eye
• Possible presence of a sterile corneal ulcer
• Reactive uveitis, leading to redness and ciliary flush
• Swelling around the affected eyelid and conjunctival inflammation

Patients may describe conflicting experiences, especially children, who might be particularly frightened or confused by such sudden and painful changes to their vision.

Prompt and effective management of toxic keratopathy is essential in preventing long-term damage. Here are the typical treatment steps:

• Stinger Removal: If a stinger is still embedded in the eye, swift removal is paramount and should ideally be done in a controlled setting, such as with a slit lamp to minimize trauma to the surrounding tissue.
• Topical Treatments: The use of topical antibiotics helps prevent infection, while topical steroids can mitigate inflammation. In some cases, a topical cycloplegic agent may be necessary to relieve discomfort and prevent muscle spasms in the eye.
• Oral Steroids: An oral steroid regimen can be beneficial in reducing severe inflammation and potentially improving visual outcomes, especially when initiated early.
• Follow-Up Care: Close follow-up is critical, typically within one to two days, as patients’ conditions, especially in younger patients, can rapidly deteriorate over the first several days. This allows us to monitor for potential complications such as corneal scarring or persistent edema.
• Advanced Interventions: In cases where significant corneal damage occurs, surgical options such as penetrating keratoplasty or cataract surgery might be considered later on to restore vision.

For healthcare professionals referring patients, it is vital to understand that the urgency in such cases cannot be overstated. The anatomical vicinity of ocular structures makes any delay in treatment riskier, and collaboration with an eye doctor can ensure better outcomes for your patients.