Ocular parasitosis in human is more prevalent in geographical areas where environmental factors and poor sanitary conditions favor the parasitism between man and animals. Lesions in the eye can be due to damage directly caused by the infectious pathogen, indirect pathology caused by toxic products, or the immune response incited by infections or ectopic parasitism. The epidemiology of parasitic ocular diseases reflects the habitat of the causative parasites as well as the habits and health status of the patient. An ocular examination may provide clues to the underlying disease/infection, and an awareness of the possibilities of travel-related pathology may shed light on an ocular presentation. This paper is a comprehensive review of the parasitic diseases of the eye. The majority of the clinically important species of parasites involved in eye infection are reviewed in this paper. Parasites are discussed by the disease or infection they cause. 1. Introduction Ocular parasitosis in human is more prevalent in geographical areas where environmental factors and poor sanitary conditions favor the parasitism between man and animals. In recent years, population shift and rapid transport have facilitated the spread of certain parasitic diseases from endemic to nonendemic areas. The routes of infection to man vary with species of the parasite and the animal hosts they infest. Lesions in the eye can be due to damage directly caused by the infectious pathogen, indirect pathology caused by toxic products, immune response incited by infections, or ectopic parasitism of the preadult or adult stages. The epidemiology of parasitic ocular diseases reflects the habitat of the causative parasites as well as the habits and health status of the patient. Additional consideration must include local sanitation and the presence of a vector for transmission as well as the more complicated life cycles of the parasites and definitive hosts. Dietary history should be considered since most parasitic transmission is through food and water contamination. Travel history to endemic areas is important to determine the source of infection. An awareness of these is therefore important to the clinician evaluating this group of patients. An ocular examination may provide clues to the underlying disease, and an awareness of the possibilities of travel-related pathology may shed light on an ocular presentation. The eye is involved both in a variety of systemic infections and may be the primary focus of other pathologies. The majorities of conditions affecting the eyes—other than injuries—are
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