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Abbey BeckleyAmerican woman infected with Thelazia gulosa eye worm
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Abby Beckley: The First Human Infected with Eye Worms
- Discovery of the Worms
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Symptoms and Consequences
- Prevalence and Risk Factors
- Prevention and Awareness
- History of Eye Worms
Abby Beckley: The First Human Infected with Eye Worms
Abby Beckley, a 28-year-old woman from Oregon, became the first person in the world to be infected with an eye worm, a parasite that had previously only been seen in animals.
Discovery of the Worms
In 2016, Beckley was working on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska when she felt something in her eye. At first, she thought it was an eyelash, but when she lifted her eyelid, she discovered a writhing creature.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Beckley sought medical help, and the doctor removed four worms the same day. However, they had no idea what they were dealing with. Eventually, the specimens were sent to an eye specialist in Portland, who then sent them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC identified the worms as Thelazia gulosa, a parasite that had never been known to infect humans before. The worms are transmitted by flies and feed on the oily layer of the eyeball.
Symptoms and Consequences
Beckley experienced irritation, redness, and drooping of her eyelid. She also suffered from migraines. The worms could have caused corneal scarring and even blindness if they had remained in her eye for a prolonged period.
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Thelazia gulosa worms have previously been found in cattle in northern parts of the United States and southern Canada. Experts believe that North Americans may be more susceptible to these parasites, and there may be more cases that have gone unnoticed.
Prevention and Awareness
Richard Bradbury of the CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria stated that cases of human infection with eye worms are rare in the United States. Beckley's case represents a new species of Thelazia worm that affects humans.
Beckley is willing to help others who may experience similar infections. She hopes that her story will inform and comfort those who encounter this condition.
History of Eye Worms
Though previously believed to only infest animals, eye worms have been reported to affect humans in Europe and Asia, primarily in impoverished rural communities with close contact with livestock. These worms can infect a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and wild predators.
