> Tina Presta <presta1 at llnl.gov> wrote:
> >
> > My daughter just came back from the Virgin Islands about 2 weeks ago.
> > Since she's returned her eye has felt dry and itch-y.
> >
> > Last night we noticed small bugs crawling and burrowing in and around
> > her lash-line. They look like small, translucent ticks. They burrow
> > under the skin and reappear elsewhere on the eyelid. Has anyone heard
> > of anything like this before?
> >
> > Her doctor didn't have any idea and has sent her to a dermatologist...
> > I've haven't heard back from the dermatologist yet.
> >
> > Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
> >
> >
>
Tina
WHile it is impossible to say exactly what this might be, I am concerned
that it is a manifestation of myiasis which is a form of larvae of
two-winged flies. This is seen in tropical regions of the world, so your
epidemiology is consistent. The larvae are variable in size and look like
small, whitish segmented bugs. They are soft and may look almost
transparent. I would go to your local infectious diseases expert or
dermatologist. If you need any more info, let me know. When you get a
definitive diagnosis, I would be interested in hearing it.
Harvey Rubin
Infectious Diseases section
