Background: Ocular toxocariasis is considered a parasitic disease of major socioeconomic importance. In spite of
the high prevalence of human toxocariasis (up to 84%) among Egyptian patients, the incidence of ocular
toxocariasis is underestimated. The recognition of this neglected disease would be the initial step to overcome it.
Thus, this review gave updated information on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment
of ocular toxocariasis.
Results: Ocular toxocariasis is an important cause of unilateral vision impairment mostly in children and always in
the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma. This disease exhibits various manifestations such as posterior pole
granuloma, peripheral granuloma, or chronic endophthalmitis. Diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis can be carried out by
the ophthalmic examination and immunodiagnostic methods to reveal the specific antibodies in serum and ocular
fluids. In addition, molecular diagnosis, medical imaging techniques, and histopathologic observation of Toxocara
larva in the surgically obtained specimens can be performed. Ocular toxocariasis can be treated either medically or
surgically. Regarding medical treatment, the ophthalmologists prefer to use steroids and anthelminthic drugs;
however, there are no standardized parameters for doses, duration, and route of administration.
Conclusion: Clinical suspicion plays a leading role in the diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis, but always with other
diagnostic methods. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can minimize ocular morbidity.
ا.د. نجوى مصطفى السيد | Nagwa Mostafa El-Sayed | 3509