Ocular dirofilariasis: Ophthalmic implication of climate change on vector-borne parasites

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a geographically rare case of ophthalmic dirofilariasis. Observations: An 81-year-old male of good socioeconomic status living in the state of Michigan in the United States, presented to the eye clinic with a painful red left eye. He had not traveled outside of the state of Michigan in over three years. He was found to have a 7 cm long subconjunctival roundworm, which was ultimately extracted. Conclusions and importance: With increasing global temperatures, ocular dirofilariasis is being introduced in more northern climates and should be included in the differential diagnosis in areas previously isolated from these vector-borne parasites.

Keywords

• Ocular dirofilariasis
• Global warming