A rare case of an eye parasite in a traveler returning from the Galápagos sounds like a horror story, but it’s also a powerful reminder of how to protect your eyes and health while exploring the world. In this article, we’ll break down what happened, what eye parasites are, how worried you really should be, and the practical steps you can take to stay safe on your next adventure.


When Your Travel Souvenir Is an Eye Parasite

Imagine coming home from a dream trip to the Galápagos Islands and noticing something just feels “off” with your eye—irritation, a sensation of movement, or blurred vision that won’t quite go away. That’s exactly what happened in a newly reported medical case, where a woman developed an exotic eye parasite, likely a type of flatworm (trematode), after traveling in South America.

Cases like this are exceptionally rare in humans. Flatworms of this type are usually found in marine mammals such as sea lions. But because it’s both unsettling and fascinating, it raises a fair question: How at risk are travelers, and what can you realistically do to protect yourself?

Illustration of an eye parasite resembling a flatworm on the surface of an eye
Artist’s depiction of an ocular flatworm infection similar to the rare case reported after travel to the Galápagos. (Source: Gizmodo case coverage)

What Happened in the Galápagos Eye Parasite Case?

According to the published case report and coverage by health and science outlets, a woman traveled to South America, including the Galápagos Islands, and later developed symptoms in one eye. Doctors eventually discovered a small parasitic flatworm living in the eye—likely an “eye fluke,” a trematode that usually infects animals, not humans.

These parasites are commonly found in:

  • Marine mammals, such as sea lions and seals
  • Certain fish or intermediate hosts in coastal waters
  • Environments where humans rarely serve as a natural host
“Human ocular trematode infections are extremely rare. Most reports are limited to isolated case descriptions, often in individuals with exposure to aquatic environments or animal reservoirs.”

In the reported case, the worm was carefully removed by ophthalmologists, and the woman recovered. While the specific transmission route is still being studied, it likely involved exposure to contaminated water or close proximity to infected animals.


What Are Eye Parasites, Really?

“Eye parasite” is a broad term that covers several different organisms that can invade or irritate the eye. They may sound like science fiction, but they’re well-described in medical literature—even if they’re exceedingly rare, especially in travelers.

Types of Eye Parasites Seen in Humans

  • Trematodes (flukes) – Flatworms like the one suspected in this Galápagos case; more commonly infect animals, occasionally reported in humans with aquatic exposure.
  • Nematodes (roundworms) – Such as Loa loa or other filarial worms, usually in specific tropical regions with particular insect vectors.
  • Protozoa – For example, Acanthamoeba, a microscopic organism that can infect the cornea, often in contact lens wearers who use contaminated water.
  • Cestodes (tapeworm larvae) – Rarely, larvae from tapeworms can migrate to eye tissues in severe systemic infections.
Close-up of an eye being examined with medical instruments
Close examination by an eye specialist is essential for accurately diagnosing unusual eye symptoms. (Image: Pexels)

These infections often require specialist diagnosis and treatment, and they’re not typically spread from person to person the way common infections are.


How Worried Should Travelers Be About Eye Parasites?

It’s natural to feel alarmed when you read about something as dramatic as a worm in someone’s eye. But from a public health and travel medicine perspective, this remains a vanishingly rare event.

What the Evidence Suggests

  • Human ocular trematode infections are so rare that they are usually reported as single case reports in medical journals.
  • Most travelers to the Galápagos and other tropical destinations never experience any parasitic eye infections, especially when basic hygiene and water safety practices are followed.
  • The overall risk is far lower than more common travel issues such as foodborne illness, sun damage, or dehydration.
Travel-medicine specialists consistently emphasize that awareness and routine precautions offer far more benefit than avoiding travel altogether.

In other words, you don’t need to fear every wave, animal, or splash of water—but it’s wise to understand how these infections happen so you can reduce an already small risk even further.


How Do Eye Parasites Get Into the Eye?

Transmission varies by parasite type, but based on what’s known from similar cases and parasitology research, infections may occur through:

  1. Direct contact with contaminated water
    For example, swimming, diving, or washing the face in water that contains larvae or infectious stages of the parasite.
  2. Contact with infected animals or their secretions
    Being very close to animals that act as natural hosts (like sea lions) can theoretically increase exposure if water or secretions reach the eyes.
  3. Contaminated hands touching the eyes
    Rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands after interacting with animals or water sources.
Person washing their face and eyes with clean water from a bottle outdoors
Using clean water and avoiding direct exposure to questionable sources helps lower the risk of eye infections during travel. (Image: Pexels)

Possible Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms can be subtle at first. While these signs are not specific to parasites, they’re reasons to get checked—especially after recent travel or aquatic exposure:

  • Persistent redness or irritation in one eye
  • Sensation of movement, “crawling,” or something in the eye
  • Blurred vision or shadows
  • Unusual floaters or flashes of light
  • Pain, swelling, or sensitivity to light

How to Protect Your Eyes While Traveling: Practical Steps

You don’t need extreme measures to protect yourself from rare infections like this. Instead, focus on simple, consistent habits that reduce your risk of many eye problems at once—parasites, infections, and irritation alike.

1. Be Smart Around Water

  • Avoid swimming or diving in stagnant, murky, or unknown freshwater sources, especially in areas known for parasitic diseases.
  • When possible, use clean, treated water for washing your face and eyes.
  • If you wear contact lenses, never rinse them with tap water or natural water sources; use sterile contact lens solution only.

2. Protect Your Eyes From Splash and Debris

  • Wear UV-protective sunglasses in windy, dusty, or splash-prone environments.
  • On boats or near animals that may splash, consider wraparound eyewear for added protection.
  • If something gets in your eye, rinse gently with clean saline or bottled water, not lake or sea water.

3. Practice Excellent Hand Hygiene

  • Wash hands thoroughly after touching animals, soil, or natural water.
  • Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
  • Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren’t available.

4. Prepare Before You Go

  • Check CDC Travelers’ Health or your country’s travel health site for region‑specific risks.
  • Consider a pre‑travel consultation with a travel-medicine clinician, especially for extended or adventure trips.
  • Pack a small eye-care kit: lubricating drops, sterile saline, clean cloth, and your prescription information.

A Realistic Traveler Story: From Panic to Plan

A few years ago, a patient I worked with (we’ll call her Laura) returned from a snorkeling trip—different region, similar fears. A week after coming home, one eye turned red and felt gritty. She’d just read an article about eye parasites and was sure the worst had happened.

At the eye clinic, her exam showed no parasites at all. Instead, she had:

  • Moderate corneal irritation from sun, salt, and dryness
  • Slight bacterial overgrowth from sleeping in her contacts after a long flight

With lubricating drops, a short course of antibiotic drops, and better contact lens habits, her symptoms cleared within a few days.

The big lesson from Laura’s case wasn’t to avoid snorkeling—it was that most eye issues are preventable and treatable when you act early and don’t ignore symptoms.

When to See a Doctor After Travel for Eye Problems

It’s not helpful to worry about every fleeting itch, but there are times when an eye exam is absolutely worth it—both for peace of mind and safety.

Seek prompt medical care if:

  • Eye redness or irritation lasts more than a few days despite basic care.
  • You notice visible movement, unusual shapes, or lesions in the eye.
  • Vision becomes blurred, dim, or you see new floaters or flashes.
  • There is significant pain, swelling, or discharge.
  • You recently had high-risk exposures (swimming in questionable water, eye trauma, or close exposure to infected animals).

If possible, see an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor specializing in eye diseases), especially for anything that seems out of the ordinary after travel.


What Does Science Say? Research and Reliable Resources

Peer‑reviewed case reports and parasitology studies consistently describe ocular trematode infections as isolated, unusual, and often linked to specific environmental exposures. They are medical curiosities, not common travel hazards.

For updated, evidence‑based guidance on travel and parasitic infections, these resources are helpful starting points:

These sources are regularly updated and avoid sensationalism, helping you balance curiosity about unusual cases with a realistic understanding of risk.


Quick Traveler’s Checklist: Protecting Your Eyes Abroad

Use this condensed checklist before and during your trip to support healthy, parasite‑free eyes.

  1. Before you go: Check official travel health advisories; talk to a travel‑medicine clinician if visiting remote or high‑risk regions.
  2. Pack smart: Sunglasses, lubricating eye drops, sterile saline, and your prescription information.
  3. Mind the water: Avoid questionable freshwater; don’t rinse lenses or eyes with untreated water.
  4. Hands off: Wash hands often and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
  5. Act early: If eye symptoms persist or feel unusual, seek an eye exam—especially after aquatic or animal exposure.
Traveler wearing backpack and sunglasses overlooking the ocean
With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy wild places like the Galápagos while keeping your eyes—and your memories—clear. (Image: Pexels)

Travel Boldly, See Clearly: Turning Fear Into Preparedness

A worm in the eye makes for an unforgettable headline, but it shouldn’t scare you away from exploring the world. The Galápagos case is a reminder that nature is complex, that humans can occasionally become “accidental hosts,” and that modern medicine is remarkably capable of diagnosing and treating rare conditions when they’re recognized early.

You don’t control every risk—but you do control how prepared you are:

  • Stay informed with trustworthy health information.
  • Use simple, practical protections for your eyes and overall health.
  • Listen to your body and seek care when something feels off.

If you’re planning a trip to the Galápagos or any other adventure destination, consider making an appointment with a travel‑medicine or eye‑care specialist to discuss your plans. A short conversation now can give you the confidence to immerse yourself fully in the experience—without being ruled by “what ifs.”

Your next step: Add “eye health” to your travel checklist today—so your only souvenirs are photos, stories, and memories you’re proud to see clearly.