Ophthalmologists remove 11 live worms from South Korean farmer's eyes
A 71-year-old man had parasites extracted from his eyes after a two-month infestation that left him with blurred vision and redness.
By Aminata Diallo ·
Ophthalmologists in South Korea extracted 11 living worms from the eyes of a 71-year-old farmer on Monday. The procedure took place after the man reported two months of persistent discomfort, redness, and blurred vision in both eyes.
The farmer told doctors he felt something stuck in his eyes throughout that period. Upon examination, the medical team observed multiple mobile, whitish roundworms. The man’s conjunctiva showed enlarged blood vessels, and his corneal cells had eroded, likely due to the presence of the parasites.
A case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine details the extraction process. Doctors applied a topical anesthetic to numb the eyes before using fine forceps to remove each worm individually. The team collected 11 adult worms measuring between 11 and 22 millimeters in length.
Microscopic analysis identified the parasites as Thelazia callipaeda nematodes. These helminths are common in Asia and have also established populations in parts of Europe. While they primarily infect cats and dogs, they can occasionally enter human eyes.
At the time of removal, several of the female worms were pregnant. The medical team noted that the larvae were close to hatching, meaning the man narrowly avoided having live offspring released directly into his eyes during the mating process.
The farmer’s symptoms began approximately two months before his visit to the clinic. The case report does not specify how the farmer initially contracted the parasites, though the species is known to be widespread in the region.
Source: Ars Technica
