Thelaziasis in humans: A systematic review of reported cases.

Background: Thelaziasis is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by Methods: This systematic review analyzed epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic data from 134 documented human cases of thelaziasis reported across 18 countries. Data sources included peer-reviewed publications and case reports, focusing on identifying trends in geographic distribution, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and treatment approaches. Results: Most cases (82.8%) were reported in Asia, particularly in South Korea, China, India, and Japan. The most common symptoms were foreign body sensation (53%), conjunctival hyperemia (39.6%), and epiphora (33.6%). Infestation was unilateral in 90.3% of cases. Diagnosis was primarily made through direct visual identification of the parasite, while molecular confirmation was used in a limited number of cases. Conclusion: This review underscores the growing recognition of human thelaziasis, particularly in Asia, and highlights the potential underdiagnosis in non-endemic regions. Environmental changes, globalization, and increasing human-animal interactions may facilitate the spread of the disease. Strengthening awareness, surveillance, and control measures is essential. Adopting a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives, is critical for effective prevention and mitigation strategies.