eye worm

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eye worm¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

A parasitic eye worm that typically affects cows infected a woman’s eye after she ran through a swarm of flies while on a trail run in California, according to a recently published case report on the horror movie-like occurrence.

From Fox News

CDC researchers, after testing the specimen, determined the worm was the species Thelazia gulosa — a parasitic eye worm that typically infects cows.

From Fox News

Well, meet “hypertufa” — your next new eye worm.

From Los Angeles Times

This half-inch-long eye worm — once only found in cattle — was one of several that infected Abby Beckley’s eye in the summer of 2016.

From Seattle Times

This Oregon woman was infected by a rare eye worm seen only in cattle.

From Seattle Times