Bee sting of the cornea: case report.

Three cases of corneal bee sting were treated. Each eye reacted differently from the others: case 1 with severe pain, conjunctival chemosis and hyperemia, central corneal edema, and reduced visual acuity; case 2 with severe pain, conjunctival hyperemia, and a white corneal infiltrate; and case 3 with only a minimal foreign-body sensation. The reaction to the venom can be toxic or immunologic. The behavior of the toxins-melittin, apamin, and formic acid-and of the principal allergen (probably phospholipase A) are described.