Abstract
Loa loa is a nematode that is highly endemic in the tropical rainforests of Western and Central Africa. It is also known as “African eye worm”. Occasionally the adult parasite is seen in the subcutaneous tissue space of humans and occasionally into the subconjunctival space. Our case is a 29-year-old male presented to the outpatient department with history of swelling, redness and foreign body sensation in the inferior bulbar conjunctiva of his right eye. Slit lamp examination shows, a nodular swelling in the inferior conjunctival space and diagnosed as subconjunctival granulomatous lesion. In the operation theater, the lesion was explored and a live worm was removed from the subconjunctival space. The worm was measured about 3.5 cm in length. The worm was confirmed to be a Loa loa adult specimen. The patient was treated with 400 mg oral albendazole for 3 weeks and 60 mg prednisone. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the typical manifestations and possible unusual presentations. An increasing number of subconjunctival Loa loa cases are reported from non-endemic areas are due to increased travel and migration. This report illustrates an unusual ocular disease, which is usually not found outside of Africa, but easily diagnosed and treated.
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