A rare case of penetrating ocular injury secondary to a boa constrictor bite

Penetrating injuries from non-venomous snakebites are, thankfully, rare. They are, however, sight-threatening and the recent trend for using non-venomous snakes as props in the entertainment industry is increasing exposure of this hazard to people with no animal handling training. We report a case of a penetrating corneal injury in a 35 year old woman following a bite from a snake she had been given to hold for a photograph opportunity. The injury was repaired surgically and she had a good visual outcome, largely due to very good fortune in the site and nature of the injury. This case highlights the danger of exposing untrained handlers to snakes in the entertainment industry.