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Delusions of ocular parasitosis
M D Sherman1, G N Holland, D S Holsclaw
1Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Cornea/External Disease Service, Los Angeles, USA. mark.d.sherman@kp.org
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 30, 1998
Summary
Delusions of parasitosis can lead to self-inflicted eye injuries as patients attempt to remove imagined parasites. This case series highlights the ocular manifestations and potential vision loss from this somatic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
Background:
- Delusions of parasitosis (DOP) is a somatic disorder characterized by the unfounded belief of infestation.
- Patients may engage in behaviors to remove perceived parasites, leading to self-harm.
Observation:
- Four cases of patients presenting with ocular infestation complaints were reviewed.
- No evidence of infectious ocular disease was found in any patient.
- All patients exhibited persistent beliefs of infestation despite negative investigations.
Findings:
- Self-inflicted ocular trauma occurred in all four cases.
- The trauma resulted from attempts to eliminate the delusional infestation.
- The eyes served as the primary focus for the patients' delusional concerns.
Implications:
- Ocular involvement in DOP can lead to significant self-inflicted eye injury.
- Early recognition and integrated psychiatric and ophthalmologic care are crucial.
- Understanding this presentation is vital for preventing vision loss in patients with delusions of parasitosis.
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