Doctors use lasers to remove worm from man's eye

[September 21, 2010]  CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Doctors rushed a Cedar Rapids man into a treatment room after they found a worm had taken up residence in his eye.

John Matthews said he sought medical help after he noticed two spots obscuring his vision in his left eye. Several specialists tested him and he was sent to the ophthalmology department at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Doctors there did more tests before they found the worm.

The Telegraph Herald newspaper in Dubuque reported doctors shot two rounds of laser blasts into Matthews' eye to kill the worm. Matthews said he "could see it from behind, moving, trying to dodge the laser."

Matthews said doctors think he got the worm either when he was in Mexico or while turkey hunting.

An Animal Planet film crew came to Iowa to tape a segment after Matthews called them and told them about his ordeal.

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Information from: Telegraph Herald, http://www.thonline.com/

[Associated Press]

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