Pediatric Ocular Toxocariasis in Costa Rica: 1998-2018 Experience

Abstract

Purpose: To report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with ocular toxocariasis.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis at a pediatric referral center from 1998 until 2018 in Costa Rica.

Results: 157 patients were diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. The mean age at presentation was 6.7 years old. The most common causes of consultation included decreased vision (29.9%), strabismus (26.7%), and leukocoria (19.7%). The most common findings included peripheral granuloma, posterior pole granuloma, and chronic endophthalmitis. Sixty-nine (43.9%) eyes had retinal detachment. Patients were managed with a variety of treatments including pars plana vitrectomy, systemic corticosteroids, anti-helminthic drugs or a combination of these. Most eyes did not exhibit functional improvement despite treatment.

Conclusions: Most patients with pediatric ocular toxocariasis in Costa Rica often present late and despite treatment, most remain with poor vision in the affected eye.

Keywords: Toxocariasis; leukocoria; pediatric uveitis; strabismus; tractional retinal detachment.