A Report of Three Cases of Human Ocular Thelaziasis in Manipur Microbiology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This is a report of 3(three) cases of human ocular thelaziasis caused by Thelazia species. CASE CHARACTERISTIC: Three patients aged 34 year, 27 years and 5 years old male attended Department of ophthalmology, RIMS, Imphal during the period from 2017 to 2019 with chief complaint of increased lacrimation, itching and irritation. The parasites were surgically removed from the eyes of patients in one piece under local anaesthesia and brought to Microbiology department and were processed for identification. They were all suffering from ocular Thelaziasis. RESULTS: These worms were intact, slender, thread-like and creamy white in colour. On the basis of recovery site, gross appearance and microscopical findings, the worms were identified to be Thelazia species. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the importance of “thelaziasis” and emphasize on further study of the morbid conditions and sequelae caused by the worm is required to minimise human infection.