Video of eye parasite removal

Introduction

Human ocular invasion by non-human filarial parasites have been reported for more than 200 years^1,2. However, only just over a handful have actually been removed, described and identified in detail.^3-6. Furthermore, the Dipetalonema species that have been described in three cases were thought to be from the body cavity of the natural hosts, the porcupine and the beaver^4,5,7,8.

This case report describes a case of Dipetalonema reconditum (usually associated with canine filariasis) in the human eye. It is noteworthy that this worm has morphological similarities to the canine heartworm Dirofilaria imitis, which in the past has been described in the human eye^5,9 but not satisfactorily identified¹⁰.

http://bjo.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/85/9/DC1