[Breaking the line of defence].

Tarantulas have urticating hairs which may cause severe irritation of the skin, respiratory tract and eyes. Inflammation and granulomas (ophthalmia nodosa) can develop in the anterior and posterior segment of the eye presenting as keratoconjunctivitis or uveitis. We present a case of a female patient with an intracorneal tarantula hair and subsequent keratouveitis after contact with a pet tarantula. Because of the unsatisfactory effects of topical steroids surgical removal of the tarantula hair was performed which resulted in remission of the inflammatory signs and recovery of visual acuity.