Horrifying photos show the true cause of man's itchy eye – after he found a LEECH feasting on his eyeball
Tony Exall was on a jungle tour near West Papua, Indonesia on May 22 this year when his left eye began to irritate him.
Advertisement
6
Tony Exall was on a jungle tour near West Papua, Indonesia as part of his job as a travel agent
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
6
He blamed his eye irritation on sweat or a tiny bug
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
6
Tony's bloodshot eye and the small black bloodsucker can be seen in the photo
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
The 58-year-old blamed it on sweat or a tiny bug but two hours later a fellow visitor spotted that he actually had a leech on his eyeball.
A horrifying photo shows Tony's bloodshot eye with the small black bloodsucker latched to the white area called the sclera.
Tony grew concerned it might wriggle its way behind his eye so ended his trip early to find medical help.
After six hours and trips to two hospitals a doctor extracted the leech using tweezers - despite the creature pulling on his eyeball tissue to hang on.
Advertisement
Read more on leeches
Tony, who owns travel company Philippine Dive
Holidays
, was in Indonesia to test out locations for customers when he decided to head on a photography trip.
The travel agent avoided catching an infection and achieved his aim of snapping a rare king bird-of-paradise minutes before the incident.
He posted the video to Facebook where users described it as 'stuff nightmares are made of' and like 'something from a horror movie'.
Tony, from Oxted, Surrey, said: "I came over here to investigate different places to work with in Indonesia so I thought, while I'm here, I want to do a bit of bird snapping.
Advertisement
Most read in Health
Tested
"We were waiting for the bird to turn up and I was sweating buckets.
"I could feel something in my eye but I just thought it was a bug. I tried to get rid of it but couldn't so I tried to ignore it.
NHS animated video on eye health
"There were leeches everywhere and I must have used the back of my hand to wipe the sweat so I essentially wiped it into my eye.
"A couple hours later we went to move on to somewhere else and one of my spotters pointed out the leech in my eye.
Advertisement
"My biggest concern was that it would get round the back of my eye. He tried to pull it out with his fingers.
"He was pinching my eyeball to get it out but the leech was fixed onto my eyeball. I tried rubbing it but I couldn't get it out."
Tony had trekked two hours through the jungle near Malagufuk, West Papua, to reach an area known for king bird-of-paradise sightings.
After having the leech pulled from his eye, Tony was prescribed eye drops and antibiotics to make sure he didn't develop an infection.
Advertisement
You hear these stories about tropical diseases and infections and having one in your eye is not the best place to have one
Tony Exall
Tony said: "We went to two hospitals to find someone that knew something about eyes.
"At first he tried to remove it and that was quite sore because a leech grabs hold of something and starts to suck the blood.
"He started to gently pull the leech which was quite sore as it was something pulling on my eyeball.
"My
next
concern was how do you get it off my eye without leaving anything behind.
Advertisement
"You hear these stories about tropical diseases and infections and having one in your eye is not the best place to have one.
"The doctor then squirted some anaesthetic drops onto my eye, got some tweezers and pop, off it came.
6
Tony says there were leeches everywhere, and that he must have had one on his hand which he accidentally rubbed in his eye
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
6
Minutes before the incident he was snapping a rare king bird-of-paradise
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Advertisement
6
Some anaesthetic drops and some tweezers helped remove the leech
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
"The tissue of my eye was being pulled. I have never had that sensation before."
After sharing the "squeamish" photos of his eye on Facebook, freaked-out users were quick to comment on his bizarre experience.
One user said: "I'm not usually squeamish but that is stuff from horror movies! Hope everything is okay now."
Advertisement
Another added: "Omg you need a trigger warning on this post. Sounds awful, hope you recover quickly."
A third said: "Stuff nightmares are made of."
A fourth added: "Dangerous stuff, this photography."
What to do if you have a foreign object in your eye
Advise the casualty not to rub their eye as this could make it worse. Ask them to sit down facing a light.
Stand behind them and gently open their eyelids with your thumbs. Ask them to look right, left, up and down as you look closely at the eye.
If you can see something, ask them to tip their head backwards and wash it out by pouring clean water from the inner corner from a glass or jug.
If this doesn't work and the object is still on the surface of the eye, try to remove it with a moist piece of gauze or the damp corner of a clean handkerchief or tissue.If the object isn't easy to remove or the eye is very painful, seek medical advice - ring 111 or attend an Eye Casualty, Emergency Department or Urgent Treatment Centre.
Source: St John Ambulance
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Stunning Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon – miles from the English seaside
Plus, other places you can explore in the Cotswolds DIVE IN Stunning Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon – miles from the English seaside AS IF the Cotswolds wasn't already one of the most idyllic destinations in the country, one village in the region also has a sprawling beach. Quaint villages with old brick bridges crisscrossing rivers and streams are usually the images that come to mind when thinking of the Cotswolds. Advertisement 6 Cotswolds Country Park and Beach features an actual beach and swimming lagoons Credit: Facebook/Cotswold country Park and Beach 6 The beach features shallow lake swimming, and then you can also hire a boat to explore the rest of the lake Credit: Facebook/Cotswold country Park and Beach 6 Or you can go kayaking and skateboarding as well Credit: Facebook/Cotswold country Park and Beach Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here But near the village of Somerford Keynes in Cirencester is Cotswold Country Park and Beach, which even has its own beach and swimming lagoons. The destination is loved for having lots of things to do, according to multiple Google reviews. This includes a Main Beach Swimming destination and Paddling Lagoon. Advertisement The sandy beach is long-stretching and it is backed by grassy areas ideal for picnics. Visitors can head here for a paddle or sunbathe, with views of families on pedalo swans on the open lake. Conveniently, the Beach Shack is also nearby, serving light bites, and there is an Ice Cream Hunt just behind the beach too, for a cool treat on a hot day. For those really wanting to get out on the water for a bit of active fun, visitors can hire kayaks or stand-up paddleboards for £10 per 30-minute session. Advertisement Mini boats, pedalo swans and rowing boats are all available for hire too, costing £10 per 30 minutes. For families that prefer to stay on dry land, they can head to the mini golf which costs just £5 per play or for the same price, you could test out the climbing wall. Visit the idyllic wine making centre of the Cotswolds For younger visitors, there are two children's playparks to explore. After the fun, you could enjoy a BBQ in the designated area as well. Advertisement Arguably the most exciting attraction at the park though, is AquaVenture - a giant inflatable course sat right on the water. For anyone who wants to experience AquaVenture, there will be a 10-minute briefing before a 50-minute session. Visitors can slip and slide about, or even catapult themselves off of a giant air bag. Pooches don't have to be left out either, as they are allowed in the park - just not on the beach and in the water. Advertisement Though, the park does schedule regular doggy swim events. One recent visitor said: "It was great to see so many children enjoying being in the water in a safe environment where parents can relax and keep an eye on them. 6 Also at the park, is a giant inflatable course Credit: Facebook/Cotswold country Park and Beach 6 It includes slides and a giant air bag Credit: Facebook/Cotswold country Park and Beach Advertisement "We managed a paddle and the water was pleasantly warm. We will definitely visit again as a family." Each session costs £15 per person, and wetsuits and aqua socks are available for hire as well. Admission varies depending on the time of year, but for high season pedestrians and cyclists can access the park from £5 per person and a car of up to five people costs from £18.18 - around £3.64 each. Whilst in the area, you could also check out Cotswolds Lake Brew Co, which features quiz nights and an outdoor beer garden with wooden palettes tables and straw bales as benches. Advertisement Just steps away from the brewery is the Cotswolds Sculpture Park, which costs £10 to enter, and there are an array of different artworks to explore. If you have a few grand spare, you could purchase one of the sculptures as well. There are a lot of holiday homes in the area too, with many sitting at the edge of a lake. What else can you do in the Cotswolds? THE Cotswolds are full of amazing places to explore, here are some spots for inspiration. Villages to explore: Beyond the popular Diddly Squat Farm, visitors can explore nearby villages like Churchill, Kingham, Charlbury and Chipping Norton, which has a theatre, lido and cinema. Activities and Attractions: The Cotswolds offers a variety of activities, including hiking, visiting the Cotswold Motoring Museum, touring the Cotswold Distillery and relaxing at Cotswold Country Park and Beach. Unique local traditions include river football in Bourton-on-the-Water and cheese-rolling at Coopers Hill. Dining and Drinking: The region is home to many pubs and restaurants, from traditional pubs like The Chequers at Churchill to Michelin-starred establishments. The Hook Norton Brewery, operating since 1849 offers tours and tastings. Historical and Cultural Sites: History enthusiasts can visit the Great Rollright Stones, a Neolithic stone circle, while art lovers can attend crafting workshops at Larksworld. Events: The Cotswolds host several major events, including The Big Feastival, Cheltenham Races, and festivals at Blenheim Palace. The Cotswolds is not the only unlikely location to find a beach in the UK - another can be found in London, right next to a pub. Advertisement Plus, a popular English beach town has launched a new ride in time for summer.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum issues urgent warning as toddler left screaming in agony at seaside hotspot thanks to beachgoers' dangerous mistake
It comes as Brits are expected to flock to beaches with temperatures heating this weekend BEACH ALERT Mum issues urgent warning as toddler left screaming in agony at seaside hotspot thanks to beachgoers' dangerous mistake A MOTHER has issued an urgent warning after her toddler was left screaming in agony at a popular seaside hotspot due to a dangerous mistake made by beachgoers. The two-year-old boy was taken to hospital as a result of the "thoughtless" beach-goers activities. 7 Two-year-old Harry Lambert was on a family beach trip with his mum, 36, dad, 37, and brother Tommy, 6 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 The family enjoyed the first five days of their holiday of playing on the beach in Christchurch Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 Until Harry was left screaming with burns on his feet Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Harry Lambert received burns to both his both feet - after running over an abandoned fire pit on the beach. Amy Lambert, 36, and her husband Richard Lambert, 37, had driven to Dorset on August 4 for a week's holiday with their two sons Harry and Tommy, 6. The family enjoyed the first five days of their holiday playing on Avon beach in Mudeford, Christchurch. But when the family-of-four visited the beach on August 9th, the mum-of-two said Harry ran over a 'hot' patch of sand while playing and began to scream. Company director Richard rushed Harry into the sea to try and cool his scorched feet down in the water, initially baffled by what had upset him. As Harry continued to cry, Amy rushed her son back up to the lodge where they were staying and ran his feet under the sink for 20 minutes. But when this offered no relief, the company director drove him to Royal Bournemouth Hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset, where she was told he had suffered surface burns on his feet. Wince-inducing photos show the two-year-old's scorched feet had erupted with 'fluid-filled' blisters on each toe, before they were carefully bandaged up. After flagging the incident to a lifeguard after it happened, it was later discovered to be a fire pit concealed by sand that was still burning. Now healing, Amy is sharing her son's story to urge people to put out fire pits and disposable BBQs on the beach properly - to ensure it doesn't happen to anyone else. UK Basks in Glorious Sunshine: Thousands Flock to Beaches as Heatwave Hits Amy, from Fordingbridge, Hampshire, said: "We went down on the beach in the morning. "My son Harry was running along on the beach, playing with his digger and he ran across this patch on the beach and instantly started screaming. "My husband put two and two together and instantly put him in the sea. "His feet were bright red and from the moment it happened he screamed for a whole hour. "I felt hopeless as there was nothing we could do [to stop the pain]. "[While I looked after Harry], my husband had gone back to the beach with my other son to tell the lifeguard. "The lifeguard then got a large bucket of water from the sea and poured it over it [the hot patch of sand]. "A huge cloud of smoke came off it as it was boiling. "As they poured more water on it, they discovered a fire pit underneath that had been dug into the sand. "It looked like normal sand and there was nothing to say there was a fire pit there at all. 7 Harry had his feet bandaged up after being taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital in Dorset Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 He suffered surface burns on his feet and left with a blister on every toe Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 The toddler screamed for an hour because he was in that much pain Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media "It was heartbreaking to see him in pain as there was nothing I could do and I couldn't explain it to him either as he's so small. "He just kept screaming, 'I don't like it, I don't like it'. "The hospital said that him being in pain was a good thing as he hadn't suffered any nerve damage and it was just surface burns. "He had blisters on every one of his toes and the soles of his feet were bright red." At the hospital, Harry had both his feet bandaged up and returned the next day for a check up. Thankfully, Amy says his injuries are now healing well and he will not need surgery on his feet. Amy said: "He still had the blisters on his toes but they were happy with his progress. "He has three blisters that are quite large and round and filled with fluid but the others are quite flat. "Harry is very lucky. He is only small and if he had fallen over or hit his face, it could have been worse. "He's a little water baby and loves to be down near the sea. "We do intend to get him back down there as soon as we can so he's not worried. It's not something we'd ever think would happen to him." Since the incident, Amy has now shared Harry's story on social media to warn people about the importance of disposing of their beach BBQs and fire pits properly. Amy said: "For me, I've always known not to cover a BBQ but maybe people don't know this. "If you're down on the beach in the evening having a good time, you're probably not thinking about the people the next day. "They probably think that if they cover it, it will be cold the next day. Actually it's making it worse as sand is a conductor and generates more heat. "It was just as hot as if there was still a fire there. You just need to cool it down and get rid of it properly." Anthony Rogers, head of seafront at BCP Council, said: "It is disappointing that the inconsideration of others has ruined what should have been a lovely trip to the beach for the Lambert family. "Disposable BBQs are only allowed on our beaches from 6pm to 10.30pm and we consistently ask everyone who uses one to dispose of them properly - that means extinguishing them carefully and leaving it next to our bins ready for collection. "BBQs should never be buried or put into bins whilst hot and this is an unfortunate reminder of precisely why. "We wish Harry a speedy recovery and hope he can return and enjoy the beach again soon."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Anti-vax' mum accused of ‘sacrificing' daughter, 22, who died of ‘treatable cancer' claims she's victim of a witch hunt
A MUM accused by her son of 'sacrificing' his sister, who died from "treatable" cancer, has told an inquest she is the victim of a 'witch hunt'. Kay 'Kate' Shemirani is a former nurse, struck off in 2021 for spreading anti-medicine and anti-vaccine Covid-19 misinformation. 7 Paloma Shemirani (pictured) died after refusing chemotherapy Credit: Facebook 7 Her mum Kay 'Kate' Shemirani (pictured) has been accused by her son, Gabriel, of 'sacrificing' his sister Credit: Alamy 7 Gabriel Shemirani (pictured) blames his mum for Paloma's death Credit: Supplied She has denied influencing her 23-year-old daughter Paloma Shemirani's decision to refuse treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma - a type of blood cancer which starts in the lymph nodes. Paloma was a University of Cambridge graduate and a Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 finalist. She collapsed on July 19 last year and died five days later of a heart attack. A few months earlier, doctors told Paloma, who was originally from Uckfield in East Sussex, her cancer was "treatable" and that she had an 80 per cent chance of recovery with chemotherapy. On Monday, the inquest in Maidstone heard Kate deny influencing her daughter's decision. She said: 'It doesn't matter what my view was, it was what Paloma wanted to do.' The BBC reported the court was played a voice note from Kate to Paloma's boyfriend, sent two or three days after the diagnosis at Maidstone Hospital in December 2023. In it, she told him to 'put Paloma in a wheelchair to take her down to the car' and to listen to the message 'in private and away from Paloma's ears'. She also told him to drive 'very carefully without braking sharply'. In response, Kate said she would need the 'forensic data' before agreeing the voice note heard by the court was from her, but added that whoever left the message gave 'fantastic advice'. Two signs of cancer that could be mistaken for cold weather symptoms - and when to see a GP She said she had not wanted Paloma to hear because she would have been frightened that she could be injured if her boyfriend drove too fast. When asked about her views on chemotherapy, Kate said: "Why is this about me and my opinions? Is it a witch hunt?" Paloma's twin brother, Gabriel, previously told the inquest that when Paloma was first diagnosed she was considering chemotherapy. That was 'before their parents started to pressure her against it', he added. "I blame my mother entirely for my sister's death", he said, by "obstructing" his sister from receiving treatment. "In short, I believe that she sacrificed Paloma's life for her own principles, I believe that she should be held accountable for Paloma's death," said Gabriel. He added: 'Paloma had a complicated relationship with our mother, maybe it is because she had a complicated relationship that she decided to rekindle that relationship when she became ill." 7 Kate says she is the victim of a witch hunt Credit: Getty 7 She denies influencing her 23-year-old daughter Paloma Shemirani's decision Credit: Facebook 7 'I blame my mother entirely for my sister's death,' Gabriel has told the inquest Credit: Louis Wood Kate told the inquest she had asked for Paloma to have all her medical notes and results so she could get all the facts and a second opinion from doctors they knew in Iran and Mexico. She said she did not know if the records were ever sent to another oncologist or haematologist for the second opinion 'because they were Paloma's records and she was 22 - an adult'. Alison Hewitt, counsel at the inquest, asked Kate: 'It is the case, isn't it, that you have expressed publicly views which are contrary to chemotherapy... you consider chemotherapy is a dangerous and toxic process and one that you wouldn't advise someone suffering cancer undergoes?' Kate branded the question 'slanderous' and 'not true', adding: 'In all my public appearances I say people should get all the information and then decide.' When pushed on whether she had described chemotherapy as mustard gas, she replied: 'This is not relevant. You're making slanderous accusations. People should be able to choose.' Kate has said she had a tumour removed through surgery. Online, however, she credits alternative therapies for her recovery and says she used a programme including juices and coffee enemas to become 'cancer-free'. The former nurse said she would have supported her daughter 'physically and financially' whatever her decision on receiving treatment. Earlier in the hearing, when describing the months before her daughter's death, Kate said Paloma had chosen treatment which included nutrition, juices and spiritual support, claiming that many of her symptoms had disappeared. Intensive care consultant Dr Peter Anderson told the court a scan showed a large mass in Paloma's chest and neck compressing her airways and affecting major blood vessels. Either could have caused the cardiac arrest, he added. The inquest continues. 7 Paloma was a University of Cambridge graduate and a Miss Universe Great Britain 2021 finalist Credit: Facebook
