Doctors Remove 11 Living Worms from South Korean Man's Eyes in Rare Parasitic Infection

A 71-year-old crop farmer in South Korea sought medical attention after experiencing two months of eye discomfort, leading doctors to extract 11 living, wriggling roundworms from his eyes. According to a case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the patient reported a persistent sensation of something stuck in both eyes, alongside redness and blurred vision.

Upon examination, ophthalmologists observed enlarged blood vessels in the conjunctiva and eroded cells on the cornea. Doctors administered a topical anesthetic and removed the adult nematodes individually using fine forceps. The extracted worms measured between 11 and 22 millimeters in length.

Microscopic examination identified the parasites as Thelazia callipaeda nematodes. These parasites are known to primarily infest cats and dogs across Asia and parts of Europe, but they can occasionally infect humans. The life cycle of T. callipaeda typically involves fruit- or tear-feeding flies that ingest larvae from an infected animal's eyes. Inside the fly, the larvae develop into infective stages before transferring to a new host's eyes during subsequent feeding.

Key Details of the Infection

• Patient: 71-year-old crop farmer from South Korea.
• Symptoms: Sensation of a foreign body, redness, blurred vision, and corneal cell erosion lasting two months.
• Findings: 11 living adult Thelazia callipaeda roundworms measuring 11 to 22 mm.
• Reproduction: Some female worms were found to be pregnant, with larvae beginning to emerge after extraction.

Treatment and Recovery

• Procedure: Topical numbing and manual removal using fine forceps without needing additional antiparasitic medication.
• Outcome: A follow-up examination two months later confirmed that all symptoms had resolved and no further worms were present.

Readers can review the original case details in the New England Journal of Medicine to verify the medical findings. Public health guidelines recommend consulting qualified eye care professionals for persistent ocular irritation.