Ocular Toxicity Caused by Toad Venom

Abstract

Purpose: 

To report a case of ocular toxicity caused by toad venom.

Methods: 

Observational case report.

Results: 

A 31-year-old man came to our clinic complaining of burning pain, photophobia, and blurred vision in both eyes. He reported that an hour earlier he had been handling a toad (Bufo bufo). It ejected a liquid from its back that splashed on the patient's face and made him rub his eyes. Corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. Slit-lamp microscopy revealed mild chemosis and stromal corneal edema with Descemet folds in both eyes. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 9 mm Hg in both eyes. Posterior segment examination was normal. Topical dexamethasone every 4 hours and cycloplegic 3 times a day were prescribed. Forty-eight hours later, corneal edema and conjunctival chemosis had resolved, and IOP was 18 mm Hg.

Conclusions: 

Ocular toxicity secondary to toad venom may cause corneal edema and low IOP that resolve without specific treatment in a short period.