Pediatric Ocular Toxocariasis in Costa Rica: 1998-2018 Experience.

PURPOSE: To report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with ocular toxocariasis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis at a pediatric referral center from 1998 until 2018 in Costa Rica.

RESULTS

157 patients were diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. The mean age at presentation was 6.7 years old. The most common causes of consultation included decreased vision (29.9%), strabismus (26.7%), and leukocoria (19.7%). The most common findings included peripheral granuloma, posterior pole granuloma, and chronic endophthalmitis. Sixty-nine (43.9%) eyes had retinal detachment. Patients were managed with a variety of treatments including pars plana vitrectomy, systemic corticosteroids, anti-helminthic drugs or a combination of these. Most eyes did not exhibit functional improvement despite treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with pediatric ocular toxocariasis in Costa Rica often present late and despite treatment, most remain with poor vision in the affected eye.