Tarantula keratouveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of chronic bilateral keratouveitis, which was initiated after contact with a pet tarantula.


METHODS
A 16-year-old male presented with a photophobia and redness of his eyes two days after handling a tarantula. He was found to have a number of linear corneal foreign bodies with subepithelial infiltrates. The infiltrates were found at varying levels of the corneal stroma with deposits on the endothelium. The anterior chamber had a mild cellular reaction.


RESULTS
He was treated with topical steroid drops, which made him asymptomatic. However, he continued to have a mild persistent keratitis and iritis four months after the onset.


CONCLUSIONS
Tarantula hairs may be associated with a chronic keratouveitis, which is usually self-limiting and responds well to treatment with topical steroids. Tarantula pet owners should be forewarned of the ocular dangers associated with handling these spiders.
Watts
P
P
Department of Ophthalmology, East Glamorgan General Hospital, Church Village, Mid Glamorgan, UK.
Mcpherson
R
R
Hawksworth
N R
NR
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013112:Spiders; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone