Ocular thelaziasis: A case report from Assam, India

Abstract

We report here a case of human ocular thelaziasis that was discovered accidentally during cataract surgery. A 58-year-old farmer attended an eye camp for diminished vision of the left eye, which was diagnosed later on as cataract. He was referred to a tertiary care hospital in Assam. During the cataract surgery, two small, motile, chalky white, translucent worms were removed from the left fornix. They were identified as female Thelazia callipaeda. Rare occurrence of this disease and its association with both extra and intraocular manifestations leading to ocular morbidity is the rationale for presenting this case.

Keywords: Assam; Thelazia callipaeda; ocular thelaziasis.

Figure 1

(a) Anterior portion of female Thelazia callipaeda showing cephalic end and rectangular buccal part; (b) Blunt posterior end showing the intestine and the anal opening (arrow); (c) Anterior portion of the worm with the vulval opening located anterior to esophago–intestinal junction; (d) Numerous eggs in the posterior half; (e) Larvae in the anterior half of the worm; (f) Transverse cuticular striations (×400) (a: Anal opening, b: Buccal cavity, v: Vulval opening, l: Larvae, Eg: Egg, sc: Striated cuticle)