[Dirofilariasis in the practice of an ophthalmologist]

A youth aged 16 was hospitalized in ophthalmological department for surgical treatment of the lower eyelid chalazion of the left eye. No helminths were diagnosed before surgery. Opening of the chalazion resulted in release of a thread-shaped helminth into the wound; the helminth was identified as immature Dirofilaria repens female. A solid connective tissue capsule formed round the parasite. Routes of Dirofilarias infection, its vectors, permanent, intermediate, and accidental hosts, and prevalence are discussed.