Title

Rare cause of floaters: A motile live worm in vitreous cavity.

Authors

Rajan, Renu; Jena, Soumya; Ramachandran, N; Kohli, Piyush; Rajan, Renu P; Ramachandran, N Obuli

Abstract

Ocular filariasis commonly presents as subconjunctival or eyelid nodules. We report a rare case of a live, motile worm causing floaters. The worm was isolated from the vitreous cavity and revealed to be Dirofilaria repens. Correct recognition of the worm is necessary as human dirofilariasis does not present as microfilaremia and does not require systemic therapy; in contrast to other causes of ocular filariasis, which require systemic therapy. As ophthalmologist may be the first physician to encounter such patients, a high index of suspicion is required for timely and adequate management.

Subjects

WORMS; FILARIASIS; OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Publication

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2019, Vol 67, Issue 9, p1490

ISSN

0301-4738

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.4103/ijo.IJO_79_19