Everything You Need to Know About Eye Parasites

Sometimes vision problems including blindness and eye pain are results of certain Eye Infections caused by Eye Parasites. Parasites are the smallest organisms that live on or in another organism, that is known as the host.  They not only live in the host and get nutrients and shelter from them but also damage them in some ways. 

Types of Parasites

Researchers have described three main types of parasites that cause diseases in humans. These types include:

Ectoparasites: This type of parasite can attach to and live on the body of a host to get benefits from them in the form of nutrition and shelter. Mosquitoes, mites, ticks, and lice are an exam of ectoparasites. 

Protozoan: This type of parasite includes microorganisms that can multiply inside the body of their host. Because of their single-celled body, they are very small and can cause severe infections in humans, such as giardiasis and malaria. Giardia species and Plasmodium species are examples.

Helminths: These are large worm-like parasites and cause diseases in their host. Flukes, roundworms, and flatworms are examples of helminths. 

Besides all these types, parasites are also categorized into another type that can infect humans and cause a parasitic infection in them. They can enter the human body through their mouth or skin and can travel from one organ to the other inside the body. In a similar way, such parasites enter your eyes. All parasites secrete toxic substances during their stay in their host and cause damage. Their toxic secretions destroy the tissues in the host body and lead to inflammation.

Through this article, you can look at some parasitic infections of the eyes. So read on to learn more about parasitic eye infections and how to prevent and treat them. This article may also help you how to diagnose if you have an eye infection and what to do next. 

Symptoms of a Parasitic Eye Infection

Parasitic eye infections are often hard to recognize because such infections do not always show specific symptoms. However, the common eye infection symptoms are:

• Blurry vision.
• Retinal scarring.
• Eye pain.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Redness and itching around the eyes.
• Loss of vision.
• Inflammation in the eyes.
• Excessive tear production.
• Crusting around the eyelashes and eyelids.
• The appearance of small lines or spots in your field of vision.

Types of Parasitic Infections Affecting the Eyes

Based on the type of parasites, eye infections can be categorized into certain types, including:

Acanthamoeba Keratitis

A protozoan parasite, Acanthamoeba found in marine and freshwater water environments. It is also found in air and soil. It causes Acanthamoebiasis infection that potentially damages your eyes. It is spread when the cornea of your eyes goes into direct contact with the parasite. The transparent covering of your eye is called cornea and this amoeba attacks on this covering. A major risk factor for developing acanthamoebiasis is poor contact lens care. 

Although acanthamoeba is a single-celled organism, it causes infection in your eyes that can affect your vision adversely. Acanthamoeba keratitis causes loss of vision and severe pain in the eyes. 

Common symptoms of this infection are:

• Excessive tearing.
• Blurred vision.
• Feeling that something in your eye.
• Pain in eyes.
• Redness in eyes.
• Light sensitivity.

Toxoplasmosis

This infection is also caused by a protozoan parasite that is abundantly found in untidy environments such as in the waters of animals or domestic pests. This parasite gets into your body by ingestion and can be transferred to the child from the mother during pregnancy. Infection of eyes caused by this parasite is medically known as ocular toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused in people who have weak immunity, especially newborns who’ve acquired the infection from their mother during childbirth. If the infection is not treated timely it can lead to vision loss and scarring in the eye.

According to the Ophthalmology Department of the US, more than 20% of 8 to 10-year-old children have this infection. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis infection during or just before delivery can severely damage the eyes of the fetus.

This parasite usually enters the human body through eating uncooked shellfish or meat. Your domestic pets are also a major cause of transmitting this infection. 

Common symptoms of this infection include:

• Tearing.
• Eye redness.
• Blurred vision.
• Eye pain usually in bright light.

However, studies show that the infection usually doesn’t show its symptoms. Other people can feel if they have the flu. Swollen lymph glands and aching muscles are also major symptoms of toxoplasmosis eye infection. 

River Blindness

Onchocerca volvulus is another parasite that causes an eye infection, River Blindness. Repeated bites of infected black-flies contract the parasites in a healthy body. These flies carry the microscopic larvae of this potassium and penetrate them into a person’s skin by biting. This infection causes severe lesions in the eyes that may resolve complete blindness. Sometimes, the parasite attacks the optic nerve, retina, or cornea and leads to vision loss. Studies show that people living in tropical areas are most likely to get this parasite. 

According to research, 90% of people infected through this infection live in sub-Saharan African countries because thesaurus is located near streams and rivers. This means this parasite is mostly found in the water environment where the water is flowing at a mild temperature.

Common symptoms of infection include:

• Appearance of nodules under the skin.
• Rashes on itching skin.
• Vision changes.

Sometimes, the infection gets severe and leads to vision loss or visual impairment. 

Ocular Toxocariasis

Parasitic roundworms known as Toxocara are usually found and multiply in dogs and cats. The eggs of these worms transmit to the digestive system of these animals and contaminate the feces of animals. Accidental ingestion of these contaminated feces with dirt can cause this infection. 

Most people contract the parasite but do not get ill and don’t show symptoms. However, if the parasite travels through the host’s eye, it causes scarring and swelling on the retina. That leads to permanent vision loss. Its major symptom is the occurrence of Ocular Toxocariasis in just one eye.

Demodicosis

Demodex folliculorum are the tiny mites that take shelter in the hair follicles on human skin. Usually, they do not cause any harm but if they get multiplied in large numbers on the face of a person, they attack the eyes. Thus leading to the eye infection.

Common symptoms of this infection are:

• Several mites are present in the eyelashes.
• Corneal scarring.
• The swelling of the eyelids is called blepharitis.
• Conjunctivitis.

African Eye Worm

West and Central African countries have a specific species of parasites known as Loa loa. This worm is specialized in causing an eye infection, named an African eye worm or Loiasis. According to studies, people who live or visit the rain-forest areas and are repeatedly bitten by deer flies, are more likely to get infected by this parasite. 

These parasites get contracted to a person; ‘s but through the bites of deer flies for several months. However, some people can get infected only in 20 to 30 days. 

Research suggested that the symptoms of his infection do not develop typically, but if left untreated, they can lead to severe results. The most common symptoms that often show after months are swelling in joints and itching in the eyes. On reaching the eyes, the parasite causes pain in the eyes and also makes them sensitive to light. Sometimes, infected people claim to see a worm crawl across the surface of their eyes. 

Gnathostomiasis

Another parasitic worm causes eye infection, Gnathostomiasis. These worms are found all around the world but most cases of the infection were found in Southeast Asian countries, Japan and Thailand. Freshwater fish carry the larvae of this parasite. Eating under-cooked or raw fish of such type can lead to the infection. With the movement of parasites inside the body, symptoms develop. According to studies, when the parasite moves along the intestine wall, liver, or stomach of a person, the person can experience:

• Severe abdominal pain.
• Vomiting.
• Nausea.
• Tiredness.
• Fever.
• Appetite loss.
• Diarrhea. 

The symptoms may last for 3 to 4 weeks. 

Another study revealed that sometimes the parasite moves under the skin, creating swelling and itching under the skin. This condition develops within 4 to 5 weeks after ingestion of the parasite but lasts 10 to 12 years. It rarely happens that the parasite enters the eyes and causes blindness or permanent vision loss.

Crab Lice

These parasites are found around the world and are also known as pubic lice. These small insects reside usually in the hair of genital organs and colonize there. These crab lice also live in the hair of areas of the body, including eyelashes. The means of transmission and spread of these insects is sexual contact. The use of contaminated personal items, including towels, and clothing is also a major source of spread. 

Treatment for Eye Infections

Anti Oatraditic drugs are the best treatment option for eye treatment. However different drugs are effective for different groups of parasites. Doctors suggest the anti-parasitic drug according to the type of parasite. For example, eye infections caused by worm infestations are treated with vermifuges or vermicides. Which are used to expel the worms from the host body and kill the worms respectively.

These anti-parasitic drugs are usually available in the form of oral medications or eye drops. However, in severe cases, doctors suggest surgery to remove the parasites from the eyes. 

Can you Prevent the Eye Parasite?

It is hard to completely avoid the eye parasites but you can do several things to reduce the risk of developing eye infection in your eyes. You can try the following tips for this purpose!

Proper Care for Contact Lenses

Take good care of the cleanliness of your contact lenses, if you wear them. Storing the contact lenses with tap water or not cleaning them properly can increase the risk of developing eye parasites. Using sterile products for cleaning contact lenses and storing them in the solution recommended by your doctor, may help you prevent the risk of eye infections.

Always remember to wash your hands before applying or handling your lenses. Don’t wear your contact lenses while you’re swimming, or sleeping.

Prevent Insects Bites

Apply insecticide lotions or creams while you are going outside during times of the day. This practice may save your skin from sun exposure. Wearing protective clothes is also a good technique to protect your eyes and skin. 

Practice Good Hygiene

Do not forget to wash your hands frequently, especially after picking up animal waste, after using the bathroom, and before eating a meal. Don’t share your personal items including towels, bed sheets, and clothes with others to avoid transmission of parasites.

Cook Your Food Properly

Avoid eating raw or under-cooked food or meat while you are traveling in areas where parasitic infections are common. Always make sure that the food is cooked through the proper internal temperature. Don’t forget to wear hand gloves while handling raw food and wash your hands afterward.

When to Seek Medical Assistance?

Many eye infections do not show primary symptoms but you should speak to an ophthalmologist if you experience any unusual vision symptoms. These symptoms may be:

• Itchy or crusty eyelids.
• Inflammation or redness around the eyes.
• Excessive tearing.
• Loss of vision.
• Blurred vision.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Pain in the eyes.
• Sometimes, you may feel the existence of something in your eyes.

Conclusion

Certain parasites cause eye infections that may be severe enough to cause temporary or permanent blindness. Although several infections do not show their symptoms, experiencing any unusual discomfort or pain in or around the eyes is an indication to talk to a doctor. 

Your doctor may prescribe some antiseptic medicines or eye drops to save your eyes from more damage. However, in some conditions when the parasites are under your eyes, surgery has become indispensable. Whatever The situation, don’t leave your infection untreated because it may lead to permanent vision loss that will make your life miserable.