- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- How to avoid catching the larva
The eye bug, also known as Loa Loa or Loiasis, is an infection caused by the presence of the Loa loa larva in the body, which usually goes to the eye system, where it causes symptoms such as irritation, pain, itching and redness in the eyes, for example.
Generally, the larva is released when the mango fly, very common in some regions of Africa, repeatedly bites the skin, depositing the larvae in the blood, which migrate to the final infection site, which in the case of Loa loa are mainly the eyes.. There, the larvae develop into adulthood and release larvae that are circulating in the bloodstream.
The eye bug is curable and it is usually necessary to undergo the treatment indicated by the ophthalmologist, which may include the use of eye drops to relieve symptoms and pills to eliminate the larvae from the body.
See other causes that can make the eye aching and red, without the presence of larvae.
Main symptoms
Loa loa infection usually does not cause symptoms, especially in people who live in a region with the fly, however in the most advanced stages of the infection, which is when the larvae reach the eyes, the main symptoms that can arise are:
- Blurry vision; Eye itching or aching; Redness in the eye; Presence of dark spots in the vision; Excessive sensitivity to light.
In addition, in some cases the presence of the larva in the eye can be noticed, it is important to consult the ophthalmologist so that the treatment can be started and the larva removed. In most cases, the eye bug is present in only one eye, and there may be no symptoms in both eyes.
In addition, the larva can also remain on the skin and, in such cases, it is common for small lumps to appear, which do not hurt, in the arms and legs, especially in the regions close to the joints.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of the eye bug must be made through the evaluation of symptoms by the general practitioner or identification of the larva in the eye. In addition, blood tests are indicated to identify the presence of larvae in the blood, and it is important that the collection takes place in the morning.
In addition, the doctor may request immunological tests to check for the presence of antibodies against the Loa loa , confirming the diagnosis.
How the treatment is done
Treatment should always be guided by an ophthalmologist, as it may vary according to the degree of development of the larva and the symptoms presented. The most used remedies include:
- Anti-inflammatories, such as flurbiprofen or diclofenac: can be used in the form of eye drops or pills to relieve symptoms of pain, redness and itching; Antiparasitic drugs, such as albendazole, thiabendazole or mebendazole: are used as tablets to eliminate larvae from the body; Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone or hydrocortisone: are usually used as eye drops and relieve itching and other symptoms. Know the main types of eye drops.
In more advanced cases, surgery may also be recommended to remove the larvae from the eye, especially those that are more superficial. However, surgery does not cure the disease and, therefore, medications must be maintained according to the doctor's recommendation.
Usually, the treatment has good results and, therefore, the person usually does not have any sequelae. However, in the most severe cases, vision difficulties may arise, even after treatment.
How to avoid catching the larva
Once the Loa loa larva settles in the body after the bite of the mango fly, the best way to avoid catching the disease is to reduce exposure to this type of fly. For that, some tips include:
- Avoid going in muddy places, especially in the shade or near rivers; Apply an insect repellent on the skin; Wear a long-sleeved blouse to reduce the amount of skin exposed; Prefer to wear pants instead of shorts or a skirt.
Generally, mango flies are more active during the day and, therefore, this care should be maintained mainly while the sun is shining.
