Tarantula keratouveitis

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

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.

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.

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.