Man Finds Live Tick Burrowed in His Eye After Mistaking It for Dirt

Avery Yanak discovered a tick lodged in his eye on 26 May 2023. The unusual incident led to a swift trip to the emergency room. Doctors later confirmed the tick’s presence and removed it safely. At first, Yanak assumed the irritation in his eye was caused by a speck of dirt. After using a phone camera, his family spotted the tick and rushed him to hospital. Medical staff used numbing drops and tweezers to extract the insect without complication.

Dr Deval Paranjpe, chair of ophthalmology at Allegheny Health Network, described the tick’s location as rare but not unheard of. He advised anyone finding a tick in their eye to seek emergency care immediately. Yanak received antibiotics to prevent tickborne infections and kept his eyesight intact.

Since the incident, the Yanak family now performs nightly tick checks. Avery has also urged others to inspect unusual areas, such as the eyes, after spending time outdoors. The tick was removed successfully, and Yanak suffered no lasting harm. He was discharged with precautions and a warning to stay vigilant. The case has raised awareness about checking for ticks in less obvious places.