Epidemiology of parasitic ocular infection among population in Kerbala province

Abstract

This study was undertaken to detect the parasitic ocular infections among 740 of attending patients to the ophthalmological department in AL-Hussian general hospital in Kerbala governorate during the period from April 2004 till March 2005 .The people under study was rangad one year old to more than 40 years old. Parasitic ocular infections including:ocular toxoplasmosis (8.33%) , ocular pediculosis (7.0%) and ophthalmomyiasis(4.89%). Different methods were used for detection of parasitic infections in the eyes such as IFAT test was used to detect the ocular toxoplasmosis using ophthalmoscope, and direct smear method using slit lamp from lashes and lids and conjunctivia to detect ocular pediculosis and ophtalmomyiasis and by helping of specialist doctors. No significant differences were noticed of infection between males and females in ocular parasites ,also no significant differences were recorderd of infection and seasonal change while significant differences were recorderd in fection and area of living and social level of people.