A Case of Subconjunctival Thelasia Callipaeda Infestation

PURPOSE: To report one case involving Thelazia callipaeda subconjunctival infestation. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old man came in with left eye discomfort that started about a month prior to hospital visit. Slit lamp examination identified a live white translucent parasite about 10 mm in length and about 0.3 mm in width moving under the lower left eye subconjunctiva. No other abnormal findings were found in the front or fundus. An incision of about 5 mm in the conjunctiva where the parasite was located was carried out, and after opening the area, the parasite was slowly pulled out using a clamp. Then, the bottom of the conjunctiva was washed with normal saline. Further, five additional parasites were found in the conjunctival sac and were removed. The parasite was identified as Thelazia callipaeda, and through outpatient follow-up for 1 month after removal, additional parasites were not found. CONCLUSION: The authors report this case of intraocular Thelazia callipaeda infestation because it is not known to be common; however, the authors witnessed a number of parasites in the conjunctival fornix, as well as Thelazia callipaeda in the subconjuctiva.

A Case of Intraocular Thelasia Callipaeda Infestation

PURPOSE: We report a case of intraocular Thelazia callipaeda infestation in a patient with panuveitis who had a successful recovery after pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: A 73-year-old female patients complained of a floating sensation and gradually decreasing visual acuity in her right eye. On slit lamp examination, severe intraocular inflammatory reaction was observed. Fundus examination revealed severe vitreous haze with mobile linear structure. Three-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed and then the worm was removed. RESULTS: The worm was confirmed to be Thelazia callipaeda. At postoperative 2 months, the patient's visual acuity was 0.6 and intraocular pressure 14 mmHg. There was no evidence of intraocular inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Thelazia callipaeda usually lie in the conjunctival sac or lacrimal apparatus, causing ocular surface disease, but intraocular infestation rarely occurs. If intraocular infestation does occur, early surgical removal should be performed.