Safety eyeglasses recommended for Tarantula owners

January 5, 2010

Safety eyeglasses are the norm for factory workers and paintball players, but should pet owners be wearing the protective goggles? If you own a tarantula, the answer to that question might be yes, according to the New York Daily News.

According to the news source, when a 29-year-old man in Leeds, England visited the hospital complaining of red, sensitive eyes, doctors were surprised to find that the cause of his discomfort was his pet tarantula.

"When we looked at this guy's cornea, the clear window covering the eye, we saw these little whitish spots and a little black hairy-like thing at the center of each," Dr. Zia Carrim told the news source.

Apparently, when the fuzzy arachnids feel threatened, they shoot off the long, sharp hairs that cover their body. The news provider states that these hairs, which are called "urticating" are too small to be removed, and that patients must be treated with topical steroids.

Carrim recommends wearing protective eye wear whenever handling tarantulas.