In June 2022, a 41-year-old woman living in Beijing consulted a doctor for a strange sensation in her right eye. What seemed like a minor irritation turned into a rare and surprising medical discovery: parasitic worms living under his upper eyelid. This unique case shed light on a little-known disease and raised questions about the links between human and animal health.
Unusual symptoms that get worse
It all started with persistent discomfort. When doctors examined the patient's eye, they found that her cornea appeared slightly damaged, possibly due to irritation. To relieve her symptoms and prevent any infection, they prescribed eye drops before sending her home. However, a month later the woman returned with her eye red and swollen, with a persistent foreign body sensation.
During a thorough examination, doctors discovered a inflammation under his upper eyelid. Upon closer inspection, they made an unexpected discovery: four blank verses writhing under inflamed eye tissue. This discovery naturally led to rapid intervention. After anesthetizing the area, doctors removed the parasites using fine forceps and sent the specimens to the laboratory for identification.
The oriental eyeworm, an astonishing parasite
Analyzes revealed that the worms belonged to the species Thelazia callipaedaalso known as oriental eyeworm. This parasite is responsible for a disease called thélaziosean eye infection that primarily affects animals, including cattle, dogs and cats. The larvae of the parasite are transmitted by flies that feed on animal tears. These larvae settle in the eyes, where they develop into adults capable of laying other larvae. These are then taken up by a fly, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Although human cases are rare, they usually occur in people living near infected animals or in agricultural areas. Symptoms include itching, swelling of the eyes, excessive tear formation, and in severe cases, eye ulcers or even blindness. Globally, China has the highest number of reported human cases, with 653 infections documented between 1917 and 2018.
Complex transmissions and gray areas
In this case, doctors were unable to definitively identify how the patient contracted the parasite. An office worker, she had no recent memory of direct contact with flies. However, her pet cat, an American Shorthair, suffered from an eye disease, which may have played a role. Unfortunately, the owner refused to let the animal be examined, leaving this hypothesis unconfirmed.
This case highlights the complexity of the transmission of Thelazia callipaeda and the challenges of preventing such infections. It also reminds us that even urban environments are not completely free of risks.
Treatment and recovery
Once the parasites were removed, the patient received a antibiotic ointment apply daily to prevent any secondary bacterial infection. A week after starting treatment, his symptoms had improved significantly. Two months later, the infection appeared to be completely cured. This happy outcome illustrates the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment for rare but potentially serious infections.
