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Giant millipede 'burns' and the eye
1Madang General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.
Summary
Millipede eye injuries, often affecting children, can cause skin burns and swelling. Prompt ophthalmic treatment led to full recovery in all reviewed cases, refuting blindness concerns.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Millipede secretions can cause ocular and periorbital tissue damage.
- Such injuries are rare, accounting for a small fraction of ophthalmology unit attendances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of millipede-induced ocular and periorbital injuries.
- To describe clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes.
- To assess the risk of blindness associated with these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 8 cases of millipede 'burns' treated over 6 years.
- Data collected from Madang General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical signs, and treatment responses.
Main Results:
- All 8 cases involved children and occurred during the rainy season.
- Common symptoms included periorbital skin burns and edema; conjunctivitis and keratitis were less frequent.
- All patients achieved full recovery with standard topical ophthalmic therapy.
Conclusions:
- Millipede 'burns' of the eye are treatable with standard ophthalmic care.
- Blindness was not observed in this series, contrary to anecdotal reports.
- Further research into millipede envenomation mechanisms is warranted.