Ocular Toxocariasis: Beyond Typical Patterns through the New Imaging Technologies

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report five cases of ocular Toxocariasis (OT) in which ultrawide-field (UWF) imaging was helpful in diagnosis and assessment. OT is an underdiagnosed condition triggered by the ocular invasion of Toxocara larvae. Typical features are peripheral granuloma or endophthalmitis.

Methods

A retrospective case series of 10 outpatients were studied by complete ophthalmologic examination and complementary tests. UWF retinal imaging, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients with suspected OT were included.

Results

UWF imaging and FAF was able to detect all retinal lesions in a single rapid capture. Two patients showed positive serology for Toxocara. An image suggesting the larva in the vitreous cavity was shown in one patient. Antihelmintic 15 treatment along with steroids was prescribed in two patients.

Conclusion

UWF imaging and SDOCT provide a more efficient approach and follow-up in OT, raising final standards of care.

KEYWORDS:

• Uveitis
• wide field
• ocular toxocariasis
• advantages
• toxocara

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.