Intraocular Thelaziasis: A rare case from central India

Thelaziasis is a parasitic disease caused by a nematode of the genus Thelazia, which is rare in the world, including India. This study aims to report an uncommon occurrence of human ocular thelaziasis in India. Based on the patient’s complaints, on examination, we found a motile living nematode in the anterior chamber (AC). Surgical removal was done using peribulbar anesthesia, making a 2 mm self-sealing incision in the peripheral-most part of the cornea, thus enabling removal of the nematode. Morphological examination done in the parasitology laboratory showed that the nematode was Thelazia callipaeda. Following removal, the patient was given tablet Ivermectin and antibiotic and steroid topically. The patient has been followed up for a period of over five months; there has been no recurrence.