In vivo confocal microscopy of pine processionary caterpillar hair-induced keratitis

Cornea. 2015 Mar;34(3):350-2. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000360.

Abstract

Purpose: Multimodal imaging of processionary caterpillar hair-induced keratitis with anterior segment optical coherence tomography and in vivo confocal microscopy.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 25-year-old woman presented with acute keratitis induced by multiple tiny processionary caterpillar hairs. She initially experienced severe pain and moderate vision loss, which gradually improved within a few weeks. Diagnosis was confirmed by in vivo confocal microscopy showing a pathognomonic image strictly comparable with ex vivo microscopy photography.

Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of corneal in vivo confocal imaging of a caterpillar hair with confirmation by ex vivo microscopy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Eye Foreign Bodies / etiology*
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Female
  • Hair*
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / etiology*
  • Lepidoptera*
  • Microscopy, Confocal*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence