Crossword Genius

Parasite going into eyes via the ear feasted on blood (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

initiate

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'blood' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'parasite going into eyes via the ear feasted' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'into' could be 'in' and 'in' is found within the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
'feasted' could be 'ate' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'ate' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'on' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for initiate that I've seen before include "Admit into closed society - beginner" , "Start - trigger" , "Cause to begin, launch" , "Start, launch" , "Admit with rites into a society" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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