Ophthalmomyiasis in humans.

BACKGROUND: Ophthalmomyiasis in humans is a rare phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: To create awareness among the ophthalmologists regarding larval conjunctivitis. CASES: We report two cases of ophthalmomyiasis, which came to a tertiary care centre with features of unilateral acute catarrhal conjunctivitis. OBSERVATIONS: Fly larvae were detected on slit-lamp examination and removed after immobilizing them with topical 4 % lignocaine. Topical antibiotics and steroid drops were prescribed for 2 weeks. The samples were identified as Oestrous ovis by the entomology department of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. The signs and symptoms regressed within 48 hours. CONCLUSION: The ocular myiasis can manifest as a unilateral catarrhal conjunctivitis.

Tuberculous dacryoadenitis in a child.

BACKGROUND: Orbital tuberculosis is rare even in endemic areas. The disease may involve soft tissue, lacrimal gland, or the periosteum or bones of the orbital wall. CASE: We present an Indian girl, who presented with a slowly growing left-sided superotemporal orbital mass, with no significant previous medical history. The swelling turned to an abscess and burst spontaneously giving rise to a discharging sinus. The discharge was negative for any organism on Gram and Giemsa staining. A tuberculin skin test was strongly positive. Incisional biopsy showed caseating granuloma and Langhan 's giant cells suggestive of tubercular aetiology. The patient responded well to tuberculous chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Although tuberculous dacryoadenitis is a very rare manifestation of tuberculosis,still the possibility should be entertained in a slowly growing mass of the lacrimal gland, especially in developing countries where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high.