Conjunctival attachment of a tick: case report.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of conjuctival tick attachment and the method of removal with blunt forceps.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 36-year-old man presented with a complaint of foreign body sensation in his right eye. He was found to have a tick (Ixodes spp) embedded in his conjunctiva. The tick was removed completely mechanically with a blunt forceps. The patient was examined and followed for tick-transmitted diseases. The patient had no systemic signs and symptoms in follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The ophthalmologist should maintain an index of suspicion that tick infestation of ocular tissues may present in urban locations. Careful examination, obtaining serology to check for zoonoses, and complete removal should be performed to ensure an uneventful recovery.