External ophthalmomyiasis in urban area: report of three cases

Abstract

Ophthalmomyiasis is an ocular myiasis du to man’s parasitism by fly larvae, most frequently by Oestrus ovis which generally parasitizes sheep and goats nasal cavities. The infestation usually occurs by direct contact The ocular involvement occurs in less than 5% of all human myiasis cases [2].  Ophthalmomyiasis is classified as external when larvae are presents on the conjunctiva and it’s categorized as internal when there is an intraocular penetration of the larvae. Some cases of external ophthalmomyiasis had been reported in various parts of the world mainly in rural areas and still remain rare in urban areas. The external ophthalmomyiasis prognosis is generally good after appropriate treatment, except in case of transformation to internal ophthalmomyiasis which is a serious eye condition that might be sight-threatening. The particularity of the three cases that we reported is that they all occurred to military men in urban area. The slit-lamp examination in those three cases showed translucent, mobile, and photophobic larvae found within the cornea and conjunctival cul-de-sac. Then we have proceeded to a mechanic extraction of the larvae and gave a topical antibiotic to prevent a superinfection. We have observed a regression of physical signs and symptoms after 24hours.