A Case of Subconjunctival Thelasia Callipaeda Infestation

ABSTRACT

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.