Ophthalmomyiasis Externa due to Sheep Botfly in Eastern Uttar Pradesh: An Intriguing Case Report with Literature Review

ABSTRACT: The invasion of the human eye by specific fly larvae is known as ophthalmomyiasis. There have only been a few documented occurrences of ophthalmomyiasis externa in India. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first instance of external ophthalmomyiasis in humans from the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh, which was caused by the larva of the Oestrus ovis (sheep botfly). We report a case of a 20-year-old girl who suddenly had redness, wetness, and a foreign body sensation in her left eye. Conjunctival congestion and several translucent motile larvae in the fornices displaying photophobic and burrowing activity were discovered by slit-lamp inspection. Topical anesthetic was used to mechanically remove five larvae. Microbiological examination verified that they were O. ovis Stage 1 larvae. Three days following topical moxifloxacin and dexamethasone treatment, all symptoms completely disappeared. This example emphasizes the significance of sustaining a high level of clinical suspicion in endemic rural regions and shows that early diagnosis in conjunction with mechanical removal guarantees a quick recovery and avoids sequelae.