Keys to Unlock the Enigma of Ocular Toxocariasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ocular toxocariasis (OT) is a zoonotic infection caused by larval stages of <i>Toxocara canis</i> and <i>T. cati</i>. The current review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of OT. Five English (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) databases were explored and 101 articles met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) of OT was higher in immunological studies (9%. 6–12%) than in studies that applied ophthalmic examination (1%. 1–2%). The lower middle-income level countries had the highest prevalence (6%. 2–12%) as well as the African region (10%. 7–13%). The highest infection rate (4%. 2–7%) was detected in the 1–25 mean age group. Regular anthelminthic treatment of cats and dogs, and removal of animal feces from public places must be considered.