“Fly in the eye: Oestrus ovis” – a case report and a review from India

Infestation with larvae (maggots) is known as myiasis. Ophthalmomyiasis externa refers specifically to infestation that involves the lids and conjunctiva in man. Ophthalmomyiasis which originates from Germany is unusual, because the vector of the Oestrus ovis larvae is most prevalent in the warm climate of Mediterranean countries. The sheep nasal botfly (Oestrus ovis sp.) is responsible for most cases of external ophthalmomyiasis. This case report gives a detailed description of the larvae, their life cycle and an overview of infestations in Germany as well as the therapy of ophthalmomyiasis. Case Report: At the end of August 1999, a 28-year-old man attended the outpatient department of Giessen University Eye Clinic with a foreign body sensation in his left eye. He reported that something hit his left eye while he was climbing on his motorbike in the early evening hours. Shortly afterwards he had a foreign body sensation in his left eye. On history taking he reported no other ophthalmologic problems in the past. Slitlamp biomicroscopy revealed white, vivid, approximately 1.5-mm-long, light-sensitive maggots on the conjunctiva and under the upper lid. These were removed mechanically and the conjunctiva rinsed with saline. Local therapy was not applied. Conclusion: Infestation with larvae of O. ovis has to be considered not only in tourists from Mediterranean countries, but also in Germany in the late summer.

Introduction: Ophthalmomyiasis is an infestation of eye with larvae of dipteran flies most commonlyby Oestrus ovis (Sheep nasal botfly). External ophthalmomyiasis in humans is a rare condition seen inpeople residing in rural areas and also living close to livestock. Case Report: We report two cases ofexternal ophthalmomyiasis in 22 years old male and 38 years old female both having history of suddenonset of foreign body sensation and redness in left and right eyes respectively. Conclusion: This externalophthalmomyiasis presenting nonspecific symptoms similar to acute conjunctivitis is the first case reportedin Nepal to the best of our knowledge. This report may aware all ophthalmologists about larval conjunctivitispreventing misdiagnosis.

Ophthalmomyiasis, fly larvae infestation of eye, is a rare condition that can have variable presentation depending on the type of fly, ocular structures involved, and level of penetration. A case of ophthalmomyiasis externa presented with foreign body sensation, itching, and redness of eyes for 2 days was documented. Mechanical removal and good local treatment helped the patient. The larva isolated was that of Oestrus ovis (sheep nasal botfly). Ophthalmomyiasis externa is mainly caused by sheep botfly O. ovis and it is more common in farming communities. This infestation is rare in India as very few cases are on records.

External ophthalmomyiasis is the invasion of superficial tissues of the eye by fly larvae of the order Diptera. We describe a case of acute conjunctivitis caused by first instar larvae of Oestrus ovis. This is the second such case reported from Sri Lanka. A 28-year-old male was admitted to the National Eye Hospital of Sri Lanka complaining of itching, redness, foreign body sensation and swelling of his right eye. On examination, visual acuity in both eyes was normal; conjunctival injection was noted in the right eye; and the presence of a few motile larvae were observed on the conjunctival surface. The patient recovered completely following the removal of six larvae and treatment with topical antibiotics. The morphological features of the extracted larvae were compatible with the first instar larva of Oestrus ovis. Early detection and removal of botfly larvae will help minimize ocular damage.

A middle-aged female patient from West Bengal presented with complaints of redness, foreign body sensation, and watering for 2 days in the left eye. Slit lamp examination of the left eye revealed several minute white foreign bodies moving over the bulbar conjunctiva. Removal of the foreign bodies under local anesthesia, followed by microscopic examination, suggested the presence of first instar larvae of Oestrus ovis; the sheep nasal bot fly. Diagnosis of unilateral external ophthalmomyiasis was made. Such cases though very infrequently have been reported in the past from Southern and Central Part of India. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report from Eastern India. A high index of suspicion is necessary both on the part of the clinician and the microbiologist for correct diagnosis.

Objective This study is aimed at investigating the epidemiology and risk factors of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (pinkeye) in Huangshi Port District of Huangshi City. Methods A total of 593 cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the observation group. The epidemiological characteristics (age of onset, season, occupation, clinical manifestations, and etiological characteristics) were analyzed. A total of 425 healthy subjects (nonacute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis) were selected as the control group. The general data of the two groups were compared, and the risk factors affecting the occurrence of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis were analyzed by logistic regression. Results The onset age of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis was mainly concentrated in 0-20-year-old and 60-year-old age groups, and the onset season was mainly concentrated in April to August, with the highest incidence in May. The proportions of middle school students and workers in patients with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis were higher than those of other occupations (both P < 0.05). Ocular conjunctival congestion, tingling, and foreign body sensation were the main clinical manifestations of patients with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Among the 593 conjunctival swab samples collected in this study, the positive rates of HEV70 and CVA24v were higher than those of adenovirus nucleic acid (both P < 0.05). The proportion of people aged ≤40 years old, male, working outdoors, using potable water equipment, contact history of patients with acute conjunctivitis, history of chemical substances entering eyes, combined with immune system diseases, and public toilet utilization rate ≥ 1 times/d in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.05), and the proportion of people washing hands before eating and after toilet was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that working place outdoors, use of potable water equipment, contact history of patients with acute conjunctivitis (all P < 0.05), and use of public toilets ≥ once a day were risk factors for the occurrence of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, and washing hands before eating and after toilet was a protective factor (P < 0.05). Conclusion The onset age of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis was mainly concentrated in 0-20-year-old and 60-year-old age; the onset season was mainly concentrated in summer and autumn; adenovirus is the main pathogenic bacteria; ocular conjunctivitis congestion, tingling, and foreign body sensation were the main clinical manifestations; working place outdoors, use of potable water equipment, contact history of patients with acute conjunctivitis (all P < 0.05), and use of public toilets ≥ once a day were risk factors for the occurrence of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, while washing hands before eating and after toilet was a protective factor.

Ophthalmomyiasis is an infestation of eye with larvae or maggots of certain flies. Oestrus ovis (sheep nasal botfly) belonging to family Oestridae is the most common cause of human myiasis. We describe here an acute presentation of a case of external ophthalmomyiasis, i.e., infestation of conjunctiva due to first instar larvae of Oestrus ovis. In this case report the occurrence, diagnosis and treatment all took place in the setting of a single day. Prompt treatment by removal of larvae mechanically followed by instillation of antibiotic and steroid eye drops helped to prevent serious complications. The taxonomic identification of fly is also important as some fly species are capable of penetrating deeper tissues of eyes, which is sight threatening.

PurposeThis study aims to determine the frequency of opthalmyomyiasis externa and the ocular findings of disease in Southern Khorasan.MethodsAll patients referred to the emergency department of Valiaser hospital during the year 2011 with external ophthalmomyiasis were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of external ophthalmomyiasis was made according to clinical findings and the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae.ResultsThere were 18 cases of external ophthalmomyiasis in the emergency department of Valiaser hospital in 2011. Most cases had the common signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, except for three males who were referred with respective complaints of red eye, foreign body sensation, and swelling around the eyelids after contact injury the previous day; corneal infiltration was present in three cases. The visual acuity among the three cases that had peripheral corneal involvement was 20 / 30 in both eyes. The bulbar conjunctiva showed chemosis in all cases and a ropy pattern discharge that was clinically compatible with external ophthalmomyiasis. However, in one case, microscopic slit lamp examination did not show Oestrus ovis larvae.ConclusionsThe frequency of external ophthalmomyiasis was high in this region. Although external ophthalmomyiasis usually manifests as allergic conjunctivitis, coronary-like corneal infiltration may be considered in the differential diagnosis of external ophthalmomyiasis or toxic insult.

Ophthalmomyiasis externa is the infestation of external ocular structures most commonly by Oestrus ovis, sheep nasal bot fly, which have a pupal stage in soil. Farmers and shepherds are commonly affected but rarely in urban areas. This is the first case of Oestrus ovis ophthalmomyiasis externa in California since Catalina Island 1986. No livestock exposure was noted. Manure fertilizer sourced from grazing fields of natural hosts was used on a local urban sports field and is the suspected source.

Ebola and the Ophthalmologist

Infestation of humans or other vertebrates by dipterous fly larvae is called myiasis. Larvae can infest several parts of the body, most commonly cutaneous tissue. Occasionally, infestation of ocular tissue...

A 50-year-old male presented with foreign body sensation, pain, and redness in left eye. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed tiny larvae crawling around the conjunctival sac. The larvae, numbering 13, were mechanically removed under topical anesthesia and identified under light microscope as first-stage larvae of Oestrus ovis causing ophthalmomyiasis externa.

External Ophthalmomyiasis caused by Oestrus ovis is the most common cause of human myiasis worldwide. Distinguishing it from other causes is important to prevent sight-threatening complications. Two patients present with pain, redness, and foreign-body sensation in affected eye. Motile larvae were seen on slit-lamp examination later diagnosed as O. ovis infestation on microbiological examination. Larvae were removed and patients were started on topical antibiotics, lubricating eye drops, and systemic antihistaminics and followed up for 3 weeks. Improvement was observed within 1 week of treatment. Early diagnosis will help to know the possibility of internal ophthalmomyiasis.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of ophthalmomyiasis in a healthy individual from western part of India. Materials and Methods: A 23 years old patient with complaints of redness, severe burning sensation, foreign body sensation and excessive lacrimation in his right eye was examined and diagnosed with ophthalmomyiasis caused by larvae of Oestrus ovis. The patient was successfully treated with combination of Antibiotic and Steroid through topical route. Results: A 23 years patient with presence of larvae was immediately examined and larvae’s were removed and sent for identification. The organisms were found to be Oestrus ovis, the patient was treated with topical Tobramycin 0.3% combined with fluorometholone 0.1%. The complaints resolved completely with no ocular or systemic associations on further investigations. Conclusion: This is one of the uncommon condition in urban areas. The most common organism causing ophthalmomyisis is Oestrus ovis. Oestrus ovis is found in sheep and goat, humans are the accidental hosts and treatment should be aimed to immobilize and removal with secondary treatment of symptoms. Keywords: Larvae, Oestrus ovis, Ophthalmomyiasis externa.

Oestrus ovis or 'sheep botfly' causes common ophthalmomyiasis in warm climates. It is a self-limited infestation with symptoms such as foreign body sensation and/or tearing. The larvae can be observed in the conjunctiva and should be extracted with forceps. The development of larvae beyond the first stage does not occur in healthy humans, although they may penetrate the ocular globe, causing so-called internal myiasis. External ophthalmomyiasis is typical of rural areas, but it may be observed occasionally in urban environments.