Parasitic Eye Diseases: Nuances in Rapid Identification and Advanced Microscopy.

Aim: To study parasitic eye diseases in a tertiary institute of North-east India by live examination of parasites, rapid staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: A 12-year retrospective analysis was performed and all patients diagnosed with ocular parasitic diseases were identified. Examination under a compound microscope, fluorescein staining, and scanning electron microscopy were done. Results: A total of 160 ocular parasitosis cases were identified. The cases for which rapid staining and SEM studies were done included Cysticercosis (n = 18, 11.25%), Hydatidosis (n = 5, 3.13%), Dirofilariasis (n = 5, 3.13%), Thelaziasis (n = 3, 1.87%), and Gnathostomiasis (n = 2, 1.25%). Live examination was performed in 11 cases (6.63%) and 8 cases (4.82%) underwent scanning electron microscopy. Conclusion: Fluorescein staining for identification of parasites and SEM study helped in detailing microscopic and ultrastructural findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]