Managing Maggots in the Eye: A Case Series

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v40i4.1811

Abstract

Purpose:  To describe the presentation and management of ocular maggots and to identify the factors contributing to their occurrence.

Study Design:  Retrospective case series.

Place and Duration of Study:  Department of Ophthalmology Mayo Hospital Lahore from 2015 to 2022.

Methods:  The study involved retrospective chart analysis of patients who presented with Ophthalmomyasis and managed in the eye department. Data regarding age, gender, occupation, clinical findings, co-morbidities, associations and environmental factors were analyzed.Larvae were removed one by one under microscope. Follow up was done after 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. In patients with orbital myasis having distorted, large ulcerated wounds/socket, turpentine oil was used and larvae were removed mechanically under microscope.

Results:  There were 15 fifteen patients included in the study. Underlying co-morbidities were present in 60% patients and the most common being basal cell carcinoma (46.6%). Seventy four percent patients had some systemic disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, AIDS, Hepatitis C etc. One thirdpatients had external ophthalmo-myasis while two third had orbital myasis. Patients who did not complete follow-up were 33%. Use of suffocating agents like turpentine oil, periodic removal of larvae, topical and systemic antibiotics, topical lavage with copious irrigation with sterile fluids resulted in good outcome in all cases that completed the follow up.

Conclusion:  The majority of patients came from rural communities and had underlying co-morbidities. Timely management resulted in good outcomes for all patients who completed the follow-up, highlighting the importance of comprehensive and sustained treatment protocols.