Toxocariasis: a neglected entity.

Toxocara canis infects many dogs yet has been seldom implicated as a cause of human disease in New Zealand. Nine patients with diagnostic titres for Toxocara canis who were seen in Christchurch Hospital over a five-year period are described. Ophthalmoscopic signs of toxocaral infection were visible at the optic disc or posterior pole of all ten affected eyes. A localised disciform detachment of the macula or a focal granuloma on the disc or retina were the commonest lesions. Vision was reduced to 6/60 or less in five affected eyes while the remaining five eyes lost 2-4 lines of vision on the test chart.