Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Palpebro-orbital myiasis in a patient with basal cell carcinoma
José Manuel Abalo-Lojo1, María J López-Valladares, J Llovo
1Service of Ophthalmology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela - Spain. jmabalolojo@yahoo.es
Purpose:
We report a patient with basal cell carcinoma presenting with severe myiasis in a large ulcer involving the upper and lower eyelid.
Methods:
Myiasis is an infestation of vertebrate animals by larvae of certain fly species. About 70 larvae were removed manually. A biopsy of the tissue underneath demonstrated a basal cell carcinoma. The myiasis was produced by the fly Lucilia sericata, currently used for treating chronic nonhealing ulcers. Because of the stage of the carcinoma, an orbital exenteration was carried out.
Results:
The patient died 2 days later because of cardiopulmonary failure not related to the myiasis.
Conclusions:
We present a case of a severe orbital myiasis focusing on its management and life-threatening nature.
Related Concept Videos
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Microbiome of the Eye
Muscles of the Eye
Extraocular Muscles
The six extraocular muscles surround the eyeball and control its movements. They are responsible for a wide range of eye motions, including looking up, down, left, right, and rotating...
Glaucoma: Overview