South Korean Farmer's Eyes Infested with Worms

A 71-year-old farmer in South Korea underwent a procedure to remove 11 live worms from his eyes after enduring two months of discomfort. The man, who had been experiencing a sensation of having something stuck in both eyes, along with redness and blurriness, sought help at an eye clinic. Ophthalmologists discovered multiple mobile, whitish roundworms in his eyes, which had caused significant damage to his ocular tissues. The blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane over the eye, were enlarged, and the cells of his cornea had eroded.

Doctors administered a topical anesthetic to numb the man's eyes before carefully extracting the worms using fine forceps. The worms, identified as Thelazia callipaeda, ranged in size from 11 to 22 millimeters. Many of the female worms were found to be pregnant, posing a risk of releasing larvae into the man's eyes. The procedure was successful, and the man's eyes were treated with topical medications to prevent further infection and promote healing.

Thelazia callipaeda, commonly known as the oriental eye worm, is typically found in East Asia and is known to infect the eyes of various mammals, including humans. The worms are spread through flies that act as intermediate hosts, depositing larvae on the eyes of their hosts. This case highlights the importance of prompt medical attention for eye discomfort and the potential risks posed by parasitic infections.