A CASE REPORT OF EXTERNAL OPHTHALMOMYIASIS A RARE ENTITY

Abstract

Myiasis is the infestation of tissues or organs of animals or man by fly larva1. The common sites are skin wounds. Eyes, nose, nasal sinuses, throat, and urogenital tract are rare sites. Ocular involvement occurs in about < 5% of all cases of human myiasis2. Oestrus ovis is the most common cause of ophthalmomyiasis externa worldwide3. The severity of myiasis depends on the location of the infestation. External ophthalmomyiasis is mostly benign and self limiting. However, in cases of internal ophthalmomyiasis caused by larvae from other species such as Hypoderma, the larvae can penetrate the sclera and burrow into subretinal space leading to iridocyclitis, endophthalmitis or loss of vision4. Ocular myiasis is more frequent in tropical than temperate regions5