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CASE REPORT |
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Year : 1985 | Volume
: 33
| Issue : 1 | Page : 59-60 |
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Traumatic cataract following bee sting
Rajendra K Agarwal
82, Ahilyapura, Indore, India
Correspondence Address: Rajendra K Agarwal 82, Ahilyapura, Indore India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
PMID: 4077209 
How to cite this article: Agarwal RK. Traumatic cataract following bee sting. Indian J Ophthalmol 1985;33:59-60 |
Following the bee sting there may be considerable reactions in the eye, ranging from mild conjunctivitis to sudden loss of vision. Rarely it may cause Opacity in the lens. This rarity of case has necessitated its documentation. This report presents such a case in which a traumatic cataract developed following a bee sting.
Case report | |  |
D.R. 20 year male was admitted in eye ward, with the complaints of gradual, progressive, painless diminution of vision right eye for last 6 months, following honey bee sting in his right eye while working in the fields. Immediately after the bee sting there was pain, lacrimation, burning, congestion and swelling of both lids. These symptoms lasted for 15 days. There was no systemic symptoms. When acute symptoms subsided patient noticed a white opacity and diminution of vision in the same eye.
Local examination right eye | |  | [Figure - 1]
A vascular pseudopterygium adherent on lateral side of cornea. Lens capsule with some cortical matter was present in pupillary area and in A.C. Fundus could not be seen.
Perception and projection of rays was accurate.
Tension-14 mm of Hg.
Slit lamp examination showed that conjunctiva was adherent to epithelium of cornea from 7 to 9 O'clock. There were folds in Descemets membrane of cornea. Disintegrated cortical matter was present in pupillary area and in A.C. No KPs. were present. Left eye was normal.
Complete aspiration of lens matter was done. Post operatively eye remained quite. After l i months, fundus was normal and vision improved to 6/18.
Discussion | |  |
The sting is a modified ovipositor in female which lies in her abdomen and is provided with a toothed lancet. It is a poison gland. The poison is discharged into victim at the time of stinging. Bee venom toxic reaction is presumably due to several biogenic amines and nitrogen free cylic acid anhydride[1],[2]
Sting can penetrate lids and injure cornea with widespread conjunctival chemosis[3]. Striate keratitis with fine network of ridges in corneal epithelium is supposed to be pathognomic. Frequently, desquamated epithelium may be associated with stromal turbidity, exudative iridocyclitis, hypopyon[4] and occasionally with anterior polar cataract[5]. Due to local degeneration of capsular epithelium with collection of fluid between cells and damage to lens fibres, the cataract is usually circumscribed and stationary[6]. At times cataract progresses rapidly due to toxic effects[7] as in the present case. In exceptional cases the sting may remain in the lens with good tolerance[8].
Due to neurotoxic effects of the sting, there may be optic atrophy, papillitis, papilloedema; retinal venous congestion, retrobulbar neuritis and conjunctivitis.
Summary | |  |
A rare case of bee sting cataract with striate keratitis has been presented.
References | |  |
1. | Walsh, F.B. and Hoyt. W.F., 1969, Clinical neuro ophthalmology 3rd Ed. Page 2718. |
2. | Duke Elder S., 1972, System of ophthalmology Vol. XIV, Injuries Part 2 p, 1203-1206. |
3. | Chopra, 1934, Indian Med. Gaz. 69 : 23. |
4. | Nirankari M.S. and Sangha S.S., 1967, Orient Arch. Ophtbalmol, 5 :125. |
5. | Barczinski, 1922, Klin Mbl. Augenheilk 69 : 769. |
6. | Graefes, H. V., 1904, Arch, Ophthalmol, 59 : 46. |
7. | Koyangi, 1920, Klin. Mbl. Augenheilk 68, 854. |
8. | Gilobo M., Dalon M.G. and Zonis S; 1977, Brit. J. Ophthalmol. 61: 662. |
[Figure - 1]
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