Phthiriasis palpebrum presenting as chronic atypical unilateral blepharitis

ABSTRACT

To report a case of phthiriasis palpebrum presenting as unilateral blepharitis in a 4-year-old male child. Materials and Observational case report. A 4-year-old child presented to the emergency room of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital complaining of persistent redness after he had trivial trauma to his right eye one day earlier. Live crab lice and their nits were found attached to the eyelashes of the right upper lid. They were removed mechanically by jeweler's forceps under slit lamp and topical anesthesia, and treated with application of erythromycin eye ointment for two weeks. Infestation of the right upper eyelid by phthiriasis palpebrum was diagnosed and treated successfully. Meticulous examination of the eye lids may help early diagnosis and treatment of such communicable diseases. Screening of family members for possible sources of infection, and health education are important issues in the prevention of such diseases