Ophthalmomyiasis externa by Musca domestica in a case of orbital metastasis

• Main Authors: Rose Mary Tomy, Padma B Prabhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Anterior segment parameter; pars plana vitrectomy; pentacam; silicone oil injection; Astigmatism; cataract surgery; toric lens; toric intraocular lens; Amblyopia; anisometropia; occlusion; recurrence; visual acuity; Cortical visual impairment; flash visual evoked potentials; periventricular leucomalacia; stimulation frequency in visual evoked potentials; visual evoked potentials; Cytomegalovirus retinitis; cytomegalovirus retinitis retinal detachment; cytomegalovirus; highly active antiretroviral therapy; Incidence; postnatal weight gain; retinopathy of prematurity; risk factors; weight gain proportion; Nasal incision; surgically induced astigmatism; temporal incision; Mantoux test; serpiginous choroiditis; tuberculosis; Distortion; epiretinal membrane; macular hole; metamorphopsia; morphision; Complication; phacoemulsifi cation learning curve; resident training; Choroidal metastases; lung adenocarcinoma; Spectral Domain OCT; Calcified heart valve; emboli; internal carotid artery plaque; Fusarium; keratitis; photo refractive keratectomy; Accidental myiasis; maggot; Musca domestica; ophthalmomyiasis; turpentine oil
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2013;volume=61;issue=11;spage=671;epage=673;aulast=Tomy

Infestation of the living tissues of the eye, ocular adnexae or orbit by larvae of flies of the order Diptera is known as ophthalmomyiasis. Ophthalmomyiasis externa is a limited superficial infestation of external ocular structures such as conjunctiva and adnexae. A case of follicular carcinoma thyroid with orbital metastasis presenting as ophthalmomyiasis externa is reported. The patient presented with foul smelling ulcers of the medial and lateral orbital walls of the right eye extending into the lids and nose, teeming with maggots. Computerized Tomography (CT) showed widespread bone destruction with extension into surrounding sinuses. Over 200 maggots were manually removed after immobilisation with turpentine oil instillation. Entomological examination showed it to be a case of accidental myiasis caused by the common housefly Musca domestica. The patient was managed conservatively and the ulcer cavities filled up with healthy granulation tissue. This case is presented on account of its rarity.