eye worm

American  

noun

1. a filarial worm, Loa loa, of western and central Africa, that is parasitic in the skin, or subcutaneous tissue, of human beings, often migrating into the eye region.

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Etymology

Origin of eye worm

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

“All these parasites are rare, and this one is extremely rare,” says of Beckley’s eye worm.

From National Geographic • Feb. 12, 2018

Beckley is now the first person in the world known to have been infected with a particular species of eye worm.

From National Geographic • Feb. 12, 2018

The disease, Thelazia callipaeda or oriental eye worm, is transmitted by a type of fruit-fly that lands on the eyes and deposits infective larvae.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2017