External ophthalmomyiasis associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Ophthalmomyiasis is a rare entity caused by infestation with certain dipterous larvae. We describe a 71-year-old farmer with herpes zoster ophthalmicus on the left side of the face in whom the blisters became secondarily infested with Chrysomyia bezziana maggots. The maggots were removed mechanically, and the corneal involvement secondary to zoster ophthalmicus responded to therapy with topical steroids and cycloplegics. To our knowledge this is the first report of external ophthalmomyiasis due to C. bezziana.