Ophthalmomyiasis and nasal myiasis in New Zealand: a case series

We report three cases of ophthalmomyiasis in New Zealand, due to the larvae of Oestrus ovis. All three patients reported eye injury caused by a fly. T he larvae were removed from the conjunctival sac without difficulty under l ocal anaesthesia. Presenting ocular symptoms of foreign body sensation, irr itation, redness and photophobia all resolved swiftly. Topical antibiotic a nd steroid eye drops were administered. All three patients also developed n asal symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge and epistaxis. Otolaryngolo gy follow-up demonstrated nasal myiasis in two patients which was treated w ith nasal decongestants. In addition, all three patients were treated with ivermectin (Mectizan).