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 or maggots 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 being treated with topical antibiotics and steroids. Conclusions and Importance: Although rare in the 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 ocular and auditory examination.