PARASITES AFFECTING THE EYE 123 
papillosa. It is commonest in the horse, and is met 
with in India, Burma, and Ceylon. 
It is a fine thread-like, reddish-white worm, somewhat 
thicker in front. The male is about 30 millimetres in 
length, and the female is slightly smaller. 
The habitat of this parasite is the anterior chamber 
of the eye. Both eyes are seldom affected simultane- 
ously, and there is usually only one worm present, but 
three is not an uncommon number. 
Symptoms.—Conjunctivitis and swelling of the eye- 
lids are present, arising from irritation. Photophobia 
is very marked. In the early stages the worm may 
sometimes be seen through the cornea. Later opacity 
sets in. ‘‘ Loin-weakness”’ has been associated in India 
with the presence of the Filariain the eye. 
TREATMENT.—Cocaine is applied, and the cornea 
punctured with a cataract needle. The worm is thus 
brought into the wound by the rush of aqueous humour, 
and is withdrawn. A larval form of Filaria cervina 
infests the eye of the ox in a similar manner. 
Similar parasites have been observed in sheep, dogs, 
and poultry. 
Filaria Palpebralis—A white filiform worm, from 
8 to 16 millimetres in length. 
It has been found in the lachrymal sac and in the 
conjunctiva beneath the eyelid. 
Filaria Lachrymalis.—This is a longer worm, Io to 24 
millimetres in length. It affects the eyelids of cattle in 
the South of France in a similar manner. 
TREATMENT.—This consists in removing the parasites, 
and applying mild astringents and sedatives to lessen 
the conjunctivitis. 
