Eye parasites are round and flat, less commonly annelids and pointed worms, larvae of flies and mosquitoes. Once they have penetrated the human body, they gradually spread through it, damaging tissues and organs. Most of them are capable of parasitizing in the human eye, provoking the development of ophthalmic helminthiasis.
Clinically, these severe pathologies are manifested by pain, burning, itching, vision disorders, lacrimation. Surgical and / or conservative treatment is performed immediately after diagnosis.
Diseases caused by parasites in the eye
More than 50 agents are known to cause ophthalmic helminthiasis in humans. Some penetrate directly through the mucous membrane, damaging the conjunctiva or lacrimal ducts. Others infect the pupil of the eye from the inside, moving into it with a stream of blood from the intestines or liver. The parasites begin to grow and multiply actively, laying eggs, leading to partial or complete loss of vision.
Most diagnosed ophthalmic helminthiasis:
- oncocercosis- helminthiasis caused by parasitism in the human body of Onchocerca nematodes (oncocercia). Its specific symptom is the "cloud" of the cornea of the eye;
- ophthalmomiasisis a parasitic disease of the eye and its appendages, which occurs when the larvae of flies or flies enter. In severe cases of myiasis, retinal detachment or optic nerve atrophy is possible;
- dirofilariaza- helminthiasis that develops when the filamentous nematode larva invades the pupil of the eye. Worm movements provoke a burning sensation, severe pain, and itching;
- sparganosisis a human disease from the cestodosis group caused by the larvae of worms of the genus Spirometra. Infection occurs mainly when eating meat from wildlife;
- toxocariasisis a chronic infectious disease provoked by roundworm larvae. The source of infection is a sick animal (usually a dog);
- toxoplasmosisis a chronic parasitic invasion caused by intracellular protozoan (toxoplasma). Their vital activity is associated with the constant release of allergens and toxins;
- coenurosisis a mainly chronic disease that occurs after infection with helminths from the group of cestodoses of the species Taicea multiceps. A person becomes infected through contact with dogs;
- cysticercosis- a disease caused by the larva of the swine tapeworm that can lead to decreased vision and blindness;
- gnatostomosis- the disease causes severe pain and often leads to death. The worms that cause this disease most often affect the skin, less frequently the central nervous system and the eyes;
- Echinococcosis of the eyesis a fairly common disease. It is characterized by the formation of parasitic cysts in the orbital area. Echinococcosis develops due to ingestion of parasite eggs with food or water.
- demodicosis of the eyes, caused by the activation of mites that live in the sebaceous glands of the eyelashes.
- Trichinosisis a parasitic pathology that develops after the introduction of Trichinella spiral nematodes into the human body.
It is not sexually mature individuals and larvae that are dangerous to the eyes, but the toxins they release. They are the ones that cause swelling of the eyelids and redness of the mucous membranes.
Symptoms of eye parasite
Each helminthic infestation has its own specific symptoms. But they also have many common signs of damage to the mucous membranes and deeper structures of the eye.
In the initial stages of pathology development, typical manifestations of conjunctivitis appear:
- redness of the outer cortex of the eyeball;
- increased lacrimation;
- photophobia;
- swelling of the upper and lower eyelids;
- bitterness, itching, burning;
- headaches localized to the temples and back of the head;
- slight increase in local temperature.
Young children and weak people develop symptoms of general intoxication of the body. The temperature rises above subfebrile values (37. 1-38. 0 ° C), appetite decreases due to attacks of nausea and vomiting.
Unlike many infections provoked by viruses, bacteria and fungi, the course of helminthic infestations is accompanied by signs of damage to other organs. These are migratory pain, dry skin, delayed hair growth and indigestion.
How to get rid of parasites from your eyes
Diptera larvae, protozoa, ticks and other pathogens of parasitic diseases can quickly destroy eye structures. Therefore, treatment is performed immediately after diagnosis. When choosing therapeutic tactics, physicians consider the type of infectious agent, the severity of the course of the disease, and the severity of the symptoms.
If an infected person goes to doctors with advanced helminthic invasion, then conservative treatment often does not work.
Parasitic worms must be surgically removed - opening and draining abscesses according to generally accepted rules.
And then follows a long period of rehabilitation with the use of anthelmintic drugs.
Folk remedies
Even the long-term use of modern potent anthelmintic drugs is often ineffective in such diseases. Urgent surgical removal of larvae, eggs and sexually mature individuals is required.
And traditional medicine is completely powerless when the eyes are affected by toxins. Neither tansy, nor centaury, nor bitter wormwood are able to withstand the invasion of the eyes.
The use of decoctions and infusions easily relieves the symptoms, so the patient postpones the visit to the doctor. Meanwhile, inflammatory and destructive processes intensify and spread to the pupils of his eyes. They predispose to retinal detachment, complete or partial blindness.
Medications
Various treatment regimens have been developed for ophthalmic diseases caused by worms. Individual therapy is performed only by specially trained parasitologists. The fact is that after the death of helminths and their decomposition, toxic-allergic intraocular reactions may develop. Only an experienced doctor can minimize their consequences.
The following medicines are used to kill parasitic worms:
- anti-nematodic;
- anti-cestodial;
- antitrematoda;
- broad-spectrum drugs.
For external agents, special eye rinse solutions are used. Antihistamines should be included in therapeutic regimens and, if necessary, antibiotics and antifungals.
Preventive measures
Urinary tract infection occurs when the mucous membrane of the eye comes in contact with flies, mussels and flies. Therefore, infectious disease doctors advise to use repellents in the form of aerosols, gels, oils. Insecticide smoke bombs scare away insects in nature quite well.
But the eggs and larvae of parasitic worms enter the human body mainly through food. They are unstable to the effects of temperature - they die when heated and boiled. It is also necessary to wash fruits and vegetables brought from the market and to be well preserved.
Parasitic eye diseases cannot be diagnosed and treated on their own.
Often disguised as bacterial, viral, fungal infections. And only as they progress do their distinctive features appear.
A timely visit to a doctor will help preserve vision, to avoid losing it.