Ectoparasitic infestations of the eye: Three cases with three different arthropods

Abstract

Parasitic infestations of the external eye are uncommon and more often prevalent in tropical and developingcountries. We present three cases with ocular infestation caused by three different arthropods admitted to theophthalmology department of a tertiary health care centre during two months. The first case was infected withthe larvae of Oestrus ovis, the second case with Phthiriasis palpebrarum, and the third case with a tick, Ixodesricinus. All patients in this report were living in city center of Bursa, one of the most industrialized cities ofTurkey. Ocular ectoparasitic infestations should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis ofconjunctivitis, blepharitis and eyelid mass, even if patients living in urban areas. Due to the rarity of ocularectoparasitic infestations and overlapping symptoms with more commonly occuring ophthalmic conditions, acareful ophthalmic examination is required to avoid misdiagnosis and delay in treatment