Abstract
Purpose: We report a case of ocular worm diagnosed clinically and treated surgically. Methods: A 68-year-old man presented to the ophthalmology clinic, complaining of redness, foreign body sensation and lacrimation in the left eye since 1 week. Slit-lamp examination disclosed a subconjunctival whitish cord like structure with movement. Presentation, clinical, surgery removal, and treatment are described. Results: At the time of surgery, an alive and still intact worm was extracted through conjunctiva incision. Conclusions: As a not yet known endemic region, we would like to emphasize the importance of this zoonosis with its ocular manifestation, knowing previously the diagnostic difficulties. From this perspective, we conclude that the incidence of ocular dirofilariasis may be much higher than that is reported in our region.
Highlights
A 68-year-old man presented to the ophthalmology clinic, complaining of redness, foreign body sensation and lacrimation in the left eye since 1 week
As a not yet known endemic region, we would like to emphasize the importance of this zoonosis with its ocular manifestation, knowing previously the diagnostic difficulties
We conclude that the incidence of ocular dirofilariasis may be much higher than that is reported in our region
Summary
Dirofilariasis is helminthic infection caused by parasites Dirofilariasis genus, Onchocercidae family, class of Nematodes [1]. It is a parasitic disease of domestic and wild animals where the natural definitive hosts are dogs and rarely cats [2]. Zootic infections in humans can be caused by accidental transition of microfiliares by Culex and Aedes mosquitoes, known as intermediate hosts [3]. The adult worm of Dirofilaria repens is the most often present, where the infective third stage larvae enter the human tissue through the mosquito bite invading a different tissue, developing and manifesting itself as subcutaneous nodules, lung diseases or ocular manifestation [1].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
