BACKGROUND: Thelazia callipaeda is the main causative organism in thelaziasis, 
commonly infecting orbital cavities and associated tissues of carnivores. 
Thelazia callipaeda infection is rarely reported in humans, especially in 
infants.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-month-old male infant presented with 2 weeks of redness 
and increased secretions in the left eye. On examination, the left eye revealed 
the presence of one creamy thread-like mobile worm in the conjunctival sac. 
During surgical exploration, a total of 11 worms were extracted from the left 
eye. The worms were morphologically identified as seven female and four male T. 
callipaeda. Ocular symptoms resolved rapidly after the removal of the worms, 
with no recurrence after the 6-month follow-up.
CONCLUSION: We present here detailed clinical and morphological information 
pertaining to T. callipaeda infection, which is considered to be a probably 
neglected parasitic disease of the eye. This case illustrates the importance of 
including thelaziasis into the differential diagnosis of ocular surface 
diseases, especially in infant patients.