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