Endoscopic visualization-assisted corneal bee sting removal
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Updated: Nov 20, 2025
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Published on: August 4, 2023
Mudit Tyagi1, Subhakar Reddy1, Sayan Basu2
1Smt Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreo-Retinal Diseases, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Purpose:
Deeply embedded corneal foreign bodies and intrastromal foreign body removal can often be a challenge. The aim of this report was to describe the utility of endoscopy in visualization and removal of an embedded corneal bee stinger.
Methods:
A 44-year-old male patient developed toxic keratopathy after injury from a bee stinger. On examination, the bee stinger was noted to be deeply embedded in the corneal stroma. A superficial keratectomy was initially attempted; however, the stinger was noted to be intrastromal and protruding into the anterior chamber and could not be removed. An Endoscopy-assisted visualization was used to remove the stinger.
Results:
The bee stinger was successfully removed and the patient's vision improved to 20/100 from an initial CFCF (counting fingers close to face) at time of presentation. At the end of 3 months follow-up, there was residual corneal edema along with cataractous changes in the lens as a sequelae of the initial bee sting injury. The patient subsequently underwent an endothelial keratoplasty along with phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and the final BCVA improved to 20/40.
Conclusion:
Endoscopyassisted visualisation of anterior chamber and angle structures can be valuable in removal of retained and deeply embedded corneal or intracameral foreign bodies.
