Conjunctivitis caused by Thelazia callipaeda infestation in a woman

Thelazia is a nematode (Spirurida) that can parasitize the mammalian conjunctival sac. This is the first reported case of ocular. Thelazia callipaeda infestation in Taiwan. A 41-year-old woman experienced swelling, itching sensation and occasional blurred vision of the right eye 2 weeks after a small group of flies swarmed her eye while she was hiking. Her symptoms were first misdiagnosed as allergic conjunctivitis at a local medical clinic. During her first visit to our outpatient department, five white thread-like living worms were discovered on the superior and inferior fornices. The worms were cream-colored, slender and approximately 1 cm in length. Follicular and papillary conjunctivitis was noted in her right eye. After removing the worms, the symptoms resolved and no other worms were found in the following 2 months. This case is a remainder to physicians that parasitic infestation should be included in the differential diagnoses of ocular itching, conjunctivities, and blurred vision after insect contact.