"Tarantula Keratitis" a case report.

INTRODUCTION: A case of an 11-year-old boy presenting with a two-week history of a red, irritated right eye after handling a Chilean Rose Tarantula at an exotic pet exhibition. Examination revealed innumerable microscopic hairs embedded at all levels of the cornea. He was commenced on steroid drops with subjective and objective improvement at follow up. DISCUSSION: Tarantulas use their urticating abdominal hairs as a defense mechanism by flicking them into attackers' eyes and skin, causing intense irritation. Ocular complications ranging from simple conjunctivitis, through to keratouveitis and even pan-uveitis with chorioretinitis, have been described in the literature. As exotic pets become more popular, the importance of wearing ocular protection when handling tarantulas should be stressed.