Abstract
Background: Corneal stings from the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay are usually painful but self-limited injuries, with resolution in 24 to 48 hours. Methods: Five patients who developed unusually severe and prolonged iritis and intraocular pressure elevation after receiving corneal sea nettle stings were followed for 2 to 4 years. Results: Decreased visual acuity, iritis, and increased intraocular pressure (32 to 48 mmHg) were noted in all cases. Iritis responded to topical corticosteroids and resolved within 8 weeks. Elevated intraocular pressure responded to topical beta blockers and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Mydriasis (4 of 5 cases), decreased accommodation (2 of 5 cases), peripheral anterior synechiae (2 of 5 cases), and iris transillumination defects (3 of 5 cases) also were noted. Mydriasis and decreased accommodation persisted for 5 months in 1 case and for more than 2 years in another. One patient has chronic unilateral glaucoma. Visual acuity returned to normal in all cases. Conclusions: The precise relationship between sea nettle venom and the observed clinical responses is not known. Corneal jellyfish stings usually produce a brief and selflimited reaction, but they do have the potential for long-term sequelae.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1414-1418 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Ophthalmology |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology