Tick Infestation on the Upper Eyelid

Abstract

A 51 year-old woman was referred to our clinic with a tick bite on her eye. She complained with a pain and itching on her left eye for 2 days. She didn’t go to a picnic or camping recently but it was learned that she lived in a rural village. After her ophthalmic examination, she was found to have tick on her left upper eyelid (Figure 1). She was consulted to the infectious diseases department. According to infectious disease department’s recommendation, blood testing had been done and the tick was removed with fine forceps. Fusidic acid was advised 2x1 topically to prevent secondary bacterial eyelid infection. She was informed about tick bite related diseases, their presenting symptoms and signs. Further follow ups were made in ophthalmology and infectious diseases clinics. Infestations on eye by tick or tick like creatures (zoonosis) are very rarely seen, but they have very important mortality and morbidity risks. Personal prevention measures, such as reducing the amount of exposed skin, use of tick repellents on exposed skin or clothing are important but these preventions don’t protect the eyes. Protective goggles may be considered to protect eyes of the people who live in rural areas with woods, bushes, high grass. Figure 1. Tick was seen on the upper eyelid