Surgery to remove 14cm long worm from patient's eye

On the morning of December 24, Thanh Hoa General Hospital announced that its doctors had successfully performed surgery to remove a 14cm long worm from under the conjunctiva of the patient’s left eye. This is a rare case in the field of ophthalmology.

Image of a 14cm long worm just removed from the eye of patient NNB - Photo: Provided by Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital

According to Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital, the patient is NNB, 68 years old, residing in Sam Son City, admitted to the hospital with discomfort in the left eye, with symptoms such as: grittiness, obstruction, burning, prolonged itching, continuous tearing with blurred vision and pain in the left eye.

After a clinical examination and microscopic examination of the patient's eyes, doctors discovered a transparent parasite, shaped like a worm, about 14cm long and 0.5mm in diameter, moving in the temporal region under the conjunctiva of the eyeball.

Doctors surgically removed a 14cm long worm from the patient’s conjunctiva. After the surgery, the patient’s eyes improved significantly, with no more symptoms of irritation, itching, or pain.

NNB patient's eye before the worm was removed - Photo: Provided by Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai - Eye Department, Thanh Hoa General Hospital, after being infected with worm larvae in the human body, the worm larvae move to other parts of the body, develop there and can cause damage to other parts of the human body.

In NNB patients, the worm develops under the conjunctiva of the eye. Fortunately, the patient was able to have surgery to remove the worm in time, otherwise the eye would have been damaged.

Through this, doctors at Thanh Hoa General Hospital recommend measures to prevent parasitic worm infection in the eyes and parasitic infection in the human body: wash hands thoroughly before eating, after contact with dogs, cats or when playing in the dirt.

Avoid eating raw foods such as: blood pudding, raw fish salad; undercooked meats, raw vegetables. Ensure clean and safe drinking water.

Deworm pets regularly to prevent parasites from infecting humans.

If there are unusual symptoms such as eye pain, foreign body sensation, unexplained tearing, blurred vision, the patient should immediately go to an eye specialist medical facility for early examination and treatment.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phau-thuat-gap-con-giung-dai-14cm-trong-mat-benh-nhan-20241224080041306.htm