[Cornea imagery and keratitis caused by processionary caterpillar hairs].

Author(s): Fournier I, Saleh M, Beynat J, Creuzot-Garcher C, Bourcier T, Speeg-Schatz C

Affiliation(s): Service d'ophtalmologie, nouvel hopital civil, BP 426, 1, place de l'Hopital, 67081 Strasbourg cedex, France. isabelle.fournier2@gmail.com

Publication date & source: 2011-03, J Fr Ophtalmol., 34(3):164-7. Epub 2011 Mar 1.

Publication type: English Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With their ability to migrate into the cornea and release toxins, caterpillar hairs can induce different clinical presentations such as conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, uveitis, and less frequently vitreoretinal inflammation (hyalitis, papillitis, macular edema). OBSERVATION: We report a case that occurred in Alsace (France) in a 13-years-old boy presenting with keratitis caused by caterpillar hairs. We localized them in the cornea, for the first time, using confocal microscopy and anterior segment spectral optical coherence tomography. CONCLUSION: Confocal microscopy and spectral optical coherence tomography can be useful for diagnosis and follow-up of this disease. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.