20 live worms removed from man’s eye in China

Worms identified as parasites that can be transferred from animals, including pets, to humans

In a bizarre incident reported in China, a doctor successfully removed 20 live worms from a man’s eye. The 60-year-old man had complained about a strange sensation he felt inside his eye some time back.

The man named Wan, who lives in Suzhou in the eastern province of Jiangsu, told the Daily Star that initially he ignored the symptoms as he thought it was due to eye fatigue and that it would go away after some time. But as the pain increased, he went to a local hospital for a check up.

Doctors at Suzhou Hospital conducted a thorough medical examination and discovered a bunch of at least 20 live worms under his right eye lid. They immediately conducted a medical procedure to pull out a bunch of long, curvy live worms from Wan’s eye.

Dr Xi Ting, who conducted the medical procedure, identified the worms as nematodes, a common parasite that lives in the conjunctival sac and tear ducts of dogs, cats and several other animals. Dr Xi said that it takes about 15 to 20 days for the larvae to develop into fully formed worms.

Wan, however, told doctors that he did not keep pets at home, but he said that he often went outdoors for his workouts and came in contact with animals.

Doctors have urged people to be careful as parasites from animals, including pets, can be transferred to humans. People suffering from blurred vision or discomfort in the eye should seek medical attention immediately instead of waiting for the condition to worsen.