Spider (Latrodectus hesperus) poisoning through the conjunctiva. A case report.

Spider poisoning is usually a result of the direct bite, envenomation through the chelicera, of the spider. Reported is an unusual case in which poisoning occurred through the conjunctiva when a fragment from a smashed black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) flew into a patient's eye. In addition to an immediate local reaction involving the periorbital tissues, the patient experienced systemic effects.