Concurrent ophthalmomyiasis externa and aural myiasis: A case report in an urban hospital in the United States

PURPOSE: To describe a case of concurrent ophthalmomyiasis externa and aural myiasis in a patient presenting with headache, right eye pain and blurred vision in an urban hospital in Philadelphia, PA. OBSERVATIONS: Myiasis is the parasitic infestation of a live mammal with fly larvae that feed and grow on host tissue. Predominantly described in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, it is rarely reported in the United States. We describe a case of concurrent ophthalmomyiasis externa and aural myiasis in a 44-year-old man who presented with headache, right eye pain and blurred vision in an urban hospital in Philadelphia, PA. After complete extraction and examination at bedside and in the operating room, the patient improved without complications after treatment with topical antibiotics and steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare in urban settings in the United States, in certain demographic populations, it is important to consider myiasis in the setting of eye and ear pain and to perform a complete eye and ear examination.