AAP News Vol. 13 No. 11 November 1997, p. 2
© 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Tarantulas and eye damage

Stefanie Dell' Aringa

Eye disease can be associated with children's handling of pet tarantulas, a British study reported.

Urticarious hairs on American varieties of tarantulas were found to be the culprit in pediatric patients presenting with itchy, gritty eyes, according to the study.

Main findings were of multiple fine intracorneal hairs with an associated keratoconjunctivitis.

Some patients experienced hairs that migrated through the media of the eye leading to multiple foci of inflammation within the globe, causing corneal granulomas, iritis, peripheral anterior synechiae, cataract, vitritis and chorioretinitis.

Chronic cases were associated with handling Chilean Rose tarantulas, while uncomplicated cases occurred after handling Thailand Black tarantulas.