[Ocular lesions produced by caterpillars]

The caterpillars' tissues contain substances for the stein, mucous membranes and eyes. The paper presents 2 clinical investigations of ocular lesions produced by caterpillars. The first was done on a 7-year-old child who has got toxic keratoconjunctivitis and erythematosus and vesicular type pruriginous cutaneous eruption after crashing of a caterpillar, because of its specific toxin. The phenomena diminish after large ocular washings, and the cutaneous toxic phenomena retrocead after antipruriginous lotions and general administration of antihistaminics. The later investigation was done on a 17-year-old patient with toxic iridocyclitis and fibrinous dense exudate due to caterpillar's hair. The anatomopathological exam of the iris showed lymphoplasmocitary infiltrate with many eosinophils. The ocular inflammation was due to caterpillar's hair presence in the anterior chamber and also to the toxin freed. The hair elimination from the anterior chamber determined the cure of the disease.