Subretinal gnathostomiasis: A successful focal laser photocoagulation for a living parasite
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
24519936
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85124660663
Journal Title
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
Volume
26
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports Vol.26 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Prakhunhungsit S., Thoongsuwan S., Boonsopon S., Panawattanawong T., Amornvararak P., Rodanant N., Phasukkijwatana N. Subretinal gnathostomiasis: A successful focal laser photocoagulation for a living parasite. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports Vol.26 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101413 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85851
Title
Subretinal gnathostomiasis: A successful focal laser photocoagulation for a living parasite
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Purpose: To report a case of subretinal gnathostomiasis presenting with progressive subretinal tracts of a living parasite and successfully treated with focal laser photocoagulation. Method: Observational case report. Patient: A 29-year-old Thai male complained of blurred vision and floaters in his left eye for two weeks. An ocular examination showed multiple, whitish, subretinal tracks at the superotemporal retina. After 5 days of oral albendazole, a moving parasite was confirmed by multimodal retinal imaging. An immunoblotting analysis was positive for Gnathostoma species. Result: The patient was treated by laser photocoagulation with frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser around and over the parasite. Oral albendozole was continued and naproxen was prescribed for four weeks. His vision improved to 20/20 and the inflammation subsided completely within three months. The patient has been followed for five years without local and systemic complications. Conclusions: Focal laser photocoagulation without systemic steroids could be a successful treatment for active subretinal gnathostomiasis with a satisfactory safety profile in a long-term follow-up.