Prolonged blurred vision following coelenterate envenomation

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Toxicology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Marine animal stings can cause localized and systemic reactions.
• Jellyfish envenomation is a known cause of cutaneous and systemic symptoms.
• Persistent sequelae are uncommon but documented in marine animal encounters.

Observation:

• A healthy woman experienced blurred vision developing within 3 hours of a jellyfish sting on her knee.
• The blurred vision persisted for 8 days.
• The jellyfish species was identified as Linuche unguiculata.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates a rare instance of prolonged visual disturbance following a jellyfish sting.
• Linuche unguiculata envenomation can lead to unusual and persistent neurological sequelae.
• The mechanism of visual disturbance in this case requires further investigation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing delayed or persistent symptoms after marine stings.
• Ophthalmologists and emergency physicians should consider marine envenomation in the differential diagnosis of acute visual disturbances.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and long-term outcomes of Linuche unguiculata stings.