Ocular loiasis in London 2008-2009: a case series.

Purpose: To report three cases of Loa loa infestation presenting over the course of 12 months to ophthalmology departments in the South West Thames region around London.

Methods: Case series (three case histories are described) and literature review.

Results: All three patients had a history of travel to West Africa. All had worms surgically removed and were referred to an infectious diseases hospital, where these were confirmed as adult Loa loa nematodes and treatment was initiated.

Conclusions: Although ocular loiasis is endemic in West Africa, European ophthalmologists in areas of diverse ethnicity should be aware that it is presenting increasingly frequently, that there is often no history of recent travel abroad, and that loiasis is a differential diagnosis for any 'at-risk' patient with an unexplained foreign body sensation.