A case of ophthalmomyiasis interna in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

Purpose: We report a case of ophthalmomyiasis interna successfully removed in toto with pars plana vitrectomy. Observations: An 84-year-old woman with recent close contact with lambs presented with a new floater. Examination revealed subretinal tracks pathognomonic for ophthalmomyiasis and a larva suspended in the vitreous. The larva was successfully removed in toto with pars plana vitrectomy by aspiration through the vitreous cutter. Conclusions and importance: Aspiration with pars plana vitrectomy can be considered a primary therapeutic modality for botfly larvae suspended in the vitreous. In our case, in toto removal of the larvae reduced the risk of inflammatory reaction.

Keywords

• Ophthalmomyiasis interna
• Vitrectomy
• Oestrus ovis
• Sheep botfly