Parasitic Eye Diseases: Nuances in rapid identification and advanced microscopy
Purpose
To study parasitic eye diseases in a tertiary institute of North-east India by live examination of parasites, rapid staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Methods
A 12-year retrospective analysis was performed and all patients diagnosed with ocular parasiticdiseases were included in this study. Lifestyle and personal histories of the patients were analysed along with clinical presentation and signs. In cases where extraction of the parasites was possible, a detailed evaluation was performed, which included examination under compound microscope, examination after fluorescein staining and scanning electron microscopy. Wet mount preparation and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was carried out for some of the parasites.
Results
A total of 160 cases were included in the study, out of which Toxoplasmosis (n=93, 58.12%) cases formed the majority. Other cases included Toxocariasis (n=32, 20%), Cysticercosis (n=18, 11.25%), Hydatidosis (n=5, 3.13%), Dirofilariasis (n=5, 3.13%), Thelazia (n=3, 1.87 %), Gnathostoma (n=2, 1.25 %) and Suspected diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN)-(n=2, 1.25%).Live examination was performed in 11 cases (6.63%) and 8 cases (4.82%) underwent scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy for elemental structural study. The average age at presentation was 31 years and a male preponderance in the ratio of 2:1 (male: female) was noted.
Conclusion
The present study details demographics of parasitic eye diseases at a tertiary care center in North-east India. Fluorescein stain for identification of parasites and SEM study helped in detailing microscopic and ultrastructural findings.