Leech enters eye of hiker in Camarines Sur

Encountering leeches is one of the challenges faced by hikers who like to immerse themselves in nature. It's difficult enough to remove once it attaches its body to our skin, but what if it enters our eye?

This is what happened to a hiker who was descending Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur on a rainy day together with a group.

As seen in Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the leech was behind the eyelid of the hiker.

"Nag-decide kami na itry tanggalin pero nabitawan niya gawa na 'yung katawan ng limatik is madulas," said tour organizer Kent Dumaguete.

Eventually, they were able to remove the leech by pulling it slowly.

According to Kuya Kim, leeches are hematophagous animals that suck blood to feed on when they attach themselves to humans and animals.

They are closely related to earthworms and they are unique because they have 10 eyes, six hearts, and 32 brains.

It is hard to remove leeches because they have three jaws, and each jaw has 100 teeth, which they use to bite into the skin.

"Nag-iiwan sila ng marka na itsurang letter Y dahil sa kanilang tatlong jaw," field biologist Daryl Hernandez said.

Should they enter our eyes, ophthalmologist Dr. Michei Buduan cautioned not to forcefully remove the leech.

"Puwede na lang gawin is hugasan nang maigi ng malinis na tubig tapos ipa-patch na lang muna. Io-observe naman for allergic reactions," she said.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News