Fly larvae were found in the eye of a 53-year-old man residing in France, as per a new report.
Prior to the horrific discovery, he reported to doctors that he was gardening near a house and sheep farm earlier in the day.
The incident raised several questions as to how a maggot can enter the organ of sight.
Fly Larvae
In the report published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on April 6, authors from the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne in France noted how they have discovered more than a dozen mobile and translucent fly larvae in the 53-year-old's eyeball.
The doctors at the hospital then diagnosed the man with external ophthalmomyiasis, characterized as the infestation of the outer structures of the peeper by fly larvae, the report said.
Furthermore, the authors said there is no cure for the condition and highlighted that the physical removal of the organisms from the eyeball is the only solution.
As a result, the medical practitioners removed the larvae using forceps.
The man later recovered and has not reported any symptoms based on a follow-up appointment after 10 days.
Also Read: Maggots Observed Chasing, Attacking And Cannibalizing One Another [VIDEO]
Sheep Bot Flies
The NEJM report stated that the fly larvae organisms have been identified as "sheep bot flies" (Oestrus ovis).
The fly larvae of sheep bot flies are called nasal bots and have been a known widespread species of fly belonging to the genus Oestrus.
According to the Government of Western Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, nasal bots are mostly found in goats and sheep and do not cause serious problems to the said livestock animals.
However, the Australian government agency highlighted that most owners are unaware of their presence.
In addition, the agency further emphasized that maggots of a sheep bot fly normally target humans, cats, and dogs.
Aside from the eye, other hotspot areas of infection may include the throat or nasal passages, which can cause irritation or difficulty in breathing.
Cornea and Conjunctiva
In the case of the NEJM medical report, the maggots were found in the man's cornea and conjunctiva.
The cornea is the transparent outer covering located at the front of the eyeball or outside the iris. Meanwhile, the conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid, as per the Verve Times.
The incident is reportedly considered serious but not surprising at the same time since the human eye has been susceptible to the invasion of harmful organisms.
Itchiness is one of the myriad manifestations of an eye infection. However, not all instances are immediately noticeable.
According to WebMD, an individual can get symptoms in the eyelid, cornea, or conjunctiva, and the most common symptoms of an eye infection are the following:
- Itchy eyes
- Pain or discomfort
- Eye hurt due to bright lights
- Eye burn sensation
- Tiny painful mass under the eyelid
- Continuous tearing
- Irritation
Fly larvae are only one of the invasive organisms that can infect the eye.
Pathogens such as fungus and bacteria can also enter the white ball of the sight organ, resulting in various optic complications which can lead even to blindness or visual impairment.
Related Article: Fruit Flies Hide Their Eggs in Oranges to Protect from Parasitic Wasps
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