Spider keratouveitis. A case report.

PURPOSE: To present a case report on a patient with keratouveitis after exposure to a tarantula.

MATERIAL: A 15-year-old boy presented with ocular redness and discomfort after his pet tarantula (Chilean Rose) had walked over his face.

METHODS: Clinical examination revealed inflammatory reactions in the corneas and the anterior chamber. After nine months, two subepithelial infiltrates of the cornea emerged, surrounding tarantula hairs of the stroma. The hairs were removed.

RESULTS: Topical steroids relieved the symptoms, but ten months after exposure there was still a mild reaction in the anterior chamber of the right eye.

CONCLUSION: Hairs from pet tarantulas might penetrate deeply into the eye and give keratouveitis. The hairs might be difficult to detect. Though rare, this phenomenon should be known by both ophthalmologists and the public.