Ocular leech infestation in a child.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with manifestations of ocular leech infestation.

METHOD: Case report.

RESULTS

The ocular foreign body was identified as a leech, Limnatis nilotica, by parasitologic examination. The leech was extracted, and the patient began using topical antibiotic and cycloplegic agents. By the third day after extraction, the patient had no obvious symptoms or signs, except for a limited subconjunctival hemorrhage, and no epithelial defect on the cornea was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular leech infestation should be considered in patients with a history of swimming in streams and lakes. Attention should also be given to ocular leech infestation in the differential diagnosis of ocular trauma with iris prolapse.