Human Ocular Thelaziasis: First Case Report from Sikkim

Dr. Sunu Hangma Subba, Dr. Diki Ongmu Shenga, Dr. Tara Sharma, Dr. Tenzing Choden, Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia

Abstract: This is a case report of two cases of human ocular Thelaziasis from Sikkim. The two patients came to the Ophthalmology Department, Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital, Sikkim with the complaint of something moving inside the eye associated with itching and foreign body sensation. The ophthalmologist examined under slit lamp and removed four motile, white worms from the left fornix and right conjunctival sac separately from two patients. The worms were received in the Microbiology Department, STNM Hospital, for identification, which were identified based on morphology as one female and three male adult worms of Thelazia callipaeda. They are primarily veterinary parasites, but may occasionally infect humans. This is the first time Thelazia callipaeda has been reported from Sikkim, a small hilly state in North-Eastern part of India. Although it has been reportedfrom other North eastern states like Assam and Manipur earlier.

Keywords: Ocular Thelaziasis, Sikkim, Thelazia callipaeda