Ophthalmomyiasis externa -- report of two cases

Ocular myiasis in humans is a rare phenomenon. Here two cases are reported who came to a tertiary care centre with features of unilateral acute catarrhal conjunctivitis. Fly larvae were detected on slit lamp examination and removed after immobilising it with topical 4% lignocaine. Topical antibiotics and steroid drops were prescribed for 2 weeks. The samples were identified as Oestrous ovis by the entomology department of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. The signs and symptoms regressed within 48 hours. The cases are being reported to create awareness among the ophthalmologists regarding larval conjunctivitis especially in developing countries like India, where the general standard of hygiene is low and fly infestation is common.