Supplementary Material for: Incidental Discovery of Conjunctival Thelazia callipaeda during Vitrectomy for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment: A Case Report

Thelazia callipaeda, a parasitic nematode that infects the eyes of humans and other mammals, was incidentally identified in a 74-year-old female with a 20-year history of diabetes during surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment. The patient had presented with blurred vision in the right eye and reported poor hygiene habits, although no history of pet contact was noted. During the procedure, the parasite was discovered within the conjunctival sac, subsequently excised, and confirmed through pathological examination. Postoperative management included antibiotic eye drops, and at the three-month follow-up, her best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 6/120 with no signs of recurrence. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive preoperative examination to facilitate timely detection of ocular parasites and prevent potential complications. It also emphasizes the need for clinician vigilance regarding Thelazia infection-especially among high-risk populations-as well as appropriate postoperative follow-up to reduce the risk of recurrence and optimize patient outcomes.

结膜吸吮线虫（Thelazia callipaeda）是一种可感染人类及其他哺乳动物眼部的寄生性线虫。本病例为一名有20年糖尿病病史的74岁女性，在接受糖尿病性牵拉性视网膜脱离手术过程中，该寄生虫被偶然检出。患者主诉右眼视力模糊，且存在不良卫生习惯，无宠物接触史。手术期间，医师于其结膜囊内发现该寄生虫，随后予以摘除并经病理学检查确认诊断。术后予以抗生素滴眼液治疗，术后3个月随访时，患者最佳矫正视力提升至6/120，未观察到复发迹象。本病例凸显了全面术前检查的重要价值，可助力及时检出眼部寄生虫并预防潜在并发症；同时也强调临床医师需警惕结膜吸吮线虫感染，尤其针对高危人群，且应开展规范的术后随访以降低复发风险、优化患者预后。