DIROFILARIASIS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Dirofilariasis. Material and Methods. An analysis of diagnosis and treatment of a case of dirofilariasis in ophthalmologic practice. Results and Discussion. Patient K., female, consulted an ophthalmologist, with complaints of foreign body sensation, moving in the upper eyelid. No such sensation was experienced by the patient before. When her history was taken she reported travelling abroad particularly in countries with tropical climate (Egypt). On examination she was preliminarily diagnosed with a benign tumor of the upper eyelid - dirofilariasis. Upon the patient's consent a surgical extraction of the parasite was conducted. An alert message was sent to the SES. The material (parasite) was transferred to the parasitology department of SES, which confirmed the species. The patient was taken to the dispensary registration. Conclusion. Sporadic occurrence of the disease, nonspecific clinical symptoms and diagnostic difficulties necessitate more detailed medical knowledge of ophthalmologists regarding this disease. In case of a delayed removal of helminth, complications arise in the form of an abscess or a boil containing a helminth. The diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and epidemiological history. The most effective treatment is extraction of the parasite. Key words: foreign body, dirofilariasis, parasite, extraction