Leeds, United Kingdom (AHN) -- A 29-year-old British man was told by his eye doctor that the irritation in his eye he was experiencing was from his pet tarantula. It appears the furry pet became agitated and misted the owner with microscopic hairs.

After suffering for weeks the man saw his doctor and upon examination of the eye numerous minuscule hairs were found embedded in his cornea. The discovery was a shock to both the patient and doctor.

It was until after repeated questioning that pet owner recalled being misted by the spider while cleaning the glass tank that houses the animal.

The barbed hairs were so small that they couldn't be removed. After being treated for several weeks with steroid eye drops the patient's redness and swelling has gone down. Furthermore his vision has vastly improved.

Arachnologists say the misting of the hairs is the animal's defense mechanism. Jonathan Coddington, associate director of research and collections at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, says the hairs on the back end of their abdomens, can be flicked off with one of the back legs. They can get in your eye, up your nose, or stuck on your fingers. He also says they're covered with some sort of noxious chemical that inflames the itch.

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