Ophthalmic dirofilariasis

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of ophthalmic dirofilariasis in a 68-year-old man with sudden, intense pain and itching in the left eye, The nematode was located in the eye and recognized as Dirofilaria repens. METHODS: Slit-lamp examination disclosed a moving nematelminth under the bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye, The nematode was surgically removed. RESULTS: The nematelminth surgically removed from the subconjunctival space was identified as D repens on the basis of transverse sections and its macroscopic characteristics. CONCLUSION: It is important to identify the nematode as D repens, based on both its microscopic and macroscopic characteristics, to avoid treatment with anthelminthic agents, The surgical removal of the worm is the sole recommended treatment.