Ocular angiostrongyliasis: Clinical study of three cases

Abstract

Purpose To report three patients with ocular angiostrongyliasis who presented with a variety of clinical findings. Method Retrospective, observational case series. The medical charts, photographs, and electrophysiologic records were reviewed. Results All patients presented with blurred vision and one had a history of eosinophilic meningitis. In each respective case, only one living larva was found in the anterior chamber, vitreous cavity, and subretinal space. The fundus examination revealed generalized retinal pigment epithelial alteration, subretinal tracks, retinal oedema, macular oedema, and a pale disc. Visually evoked potentials showed delayed latency time in one patient, which represented the secondary optic neuritis. Blood eosinophilia was not detected, and stool examinations did not show Angiostrongylus cantonensis larva or its egg. In both cases of surgical removal, an immature male worm was identified by the parasitologist. After treatment, the visual acuity was slightly improved in all cases. Conclusion This case series illustrated the different ocular manifestations of angiostrongyliasis and that although several treatments were used, the visual outcome was not markedly improved and depended mainly on the initial visual acuity. © 2008 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.