Ophthalmomyiasis externa from Hakkari, the south east border of Turkey

Abstract

Ophthalmomyiasis externa refers to the infestation of ocular surface by dipterous larvae. The term ophthalmomyiasis interna refers to the infestation of the anterior or posterior segment of the eyeball. Oestrus ovis is the most common aetiological agent for ophthalmomyiasis externa, and external disease is the most common form of ocular myiasis correspondingly. The larva is an obligate parasite of sheep. However, humans are accidentally infested. This article is related to the case series of three patients with the diagnosis of ophthalmomyiasis externa who were treated in Hakkari State Hospital in June 2013.

Figure 1

Larva buried itself in conjunctival fornix.

Figure 2

Larva is seen in tear meniscus moving over conjunctiva.

Figure 3

Larva has a pair of sharp, dark brown oral hooks which are connected to the large internal cephalopharyngeal skeleton and numerous spines at the margins of each body segment as seen.