title: Twostriped Walkingstick Targets Human Eye With Chemical Defense Spray.
abstract: Stick insects are commonly known for their fascinating and functional shape, which allows them to blend with their surroundings. However, many may not be aware of another, more threatening protective feature, a toxic spray. Anisomorpha buprestoides, one of two stick insect types in the United States to use this defense, targets the eyes and can cause ocular injury, with cases ranging from conjunctivitis to corneal ulceration. We present the case of an older woman exposed to the walkingstick's painful venom while in her home. The patient presented to an Orlando emergency department with conjunctival injection and tearing that improved with water irrigation.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL (Dr Ferrara). Electronic address: ashleynferrara@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA (Dr Luck).
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Luck
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Mease Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, FL (Dr Chappell).
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chappell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
keywords: Anisomorpha buprestoides; chemical; conjunctivitis; corneal ulcer; eye pain; walkingstick